Of 


'^^ 


JUL    2    1968 

,C8T7 


D3[^(0^Wm^M 


PREACHING    THE   WORD; 


DELIVERED   IN 


THE  CHAPEL  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  AN  DOVER,  MASg. 


pi]1{LI6Hi;d  at  the  request  of  the  stuuksts 


WITH  NOTES. 


/ 

BY   EDWARD  W.  HOOKER. 


ANDOVER : 

PUBLISHED    BV    MARK    NEWMAN. 

Flagg  &  Gould,  Printers. 

1830. 


The  following  Discourse  was  first  delivered  before  the  General  Association 
of  Connecticut,  at  their  session  in  New  Haven,  June  17,18*28;  and  recently 
bef>ro  the  Conference  of  Cliurches  of  the  Northern  District  of  Essex  county, 
at  Hyfield,  Mass. 


DISCOURSE. 


2  TnioTiiv  4:  2. — Pkkach   the  Word. 

While  Paul  was  in  prison  at  Rome,  "ready  to  be  ofl'ered" 
in  martyrdom  for  the  faith  of  Jesus,  he  addressed  to  Timothy  his 
dying  counsels  ;  the  results  of  his  own  experience  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  during  his  long  and  devoted  life.  They  are  worthy 
of  such  a  minister  of  Christ  as  Paul  was,  standing  on  the  borders 
of  the  grave,  and  just  going  to  his  solemn  account.  He  seemed 
designing  them  to  be, — and  they  were, — a  solemn  conclusion  of 
his  labours  for  his  Lord,  and  for  the  souls  of  men.  They  served 
to  shew  how  he  would  continue  to  labour,  might  his  life  be  spar- 
ed ;  and  in  what  manner  he  would  that  his  brethren  after  him 
should  preach,  to  the  end  of  the  world.  Among  diese  dying 
counsels  we  find  the  text. 

It  does  not  seem  the  apostle's  design,  in  this  direction,  simply 
to  advise  his  young  brother  to  continue  in  the  ministry ;  nor  that 
he  should  preach  the  gospel,  in  distinction  only  from  gross  heresy, 
"  another  gospel,"  "  doctrines  of  devils."  There  was  little  or  no 
necessity  for  such  advice  to  Timothy. 

By  reference  to  other  passages  of  Paul's  wi-itings  we  get  light 
on  his  particular  design  in  the  direction.  We  find  him  cautioning 
Timothy  against  "  striving  about  words,  to  no  profit ;"  against 
"  giving  heed  to  fables,  and  endless  genealogies,  which  minister 
questions,  radier  Uian  godly  edifying ;"  against  "  oppositions  of 
science,  falsely  so  called,  which,"  says  he,  "  some  professing, 
have  erred  from  the  faith  ;"  against  "  turning  aside  unto  vain 
jangling,"  and  "  dotuig  about  questions  and  strifes  of  words, 
whereof  cometh  envy,  strife,  railing,  evil  surmisings,  and  perverse 


disputings."  And  farther, — for  he  was  obviously  anxious  for  the 
honour  of  Christ,  and  the  good  of  his  Christian  brethren,  as  con- 
cerned in  this  subject, — ^vve  find  him  enjoining,  "  hold  fast  the  form 
of  sound  words  ;"  "  Beware  lest  any  man  spoil  you  through  phi- 
losophy and  vain  deceit,  after  the  traditions  of  men,  after  the  ru- 
diments of  the  world,  and  not  after  Christ."  And  again  says  he 
to  Timothy,  "  but  foolish  and  unlearned  (i.  e.  unprofitable)  ques- 
tions avoid,  knowing  that  they  do  gender  strifes." 

Taking  Paul,  then,  as  his  own  interpreter,  his  counsel  to  Tim- 
othy, in  the  text,  respects  the  matter  of  his  preaching,  in  those 
things  in  which  he  might  err  otherwise  than  in  preaching  gross  her- 
esy ;  and  in  which  he  might  be  in  danger  of  running  into  error,  as 
a  final  result.  The  apostle  had  seen  some  of  the  churches  per- 
plexed and  divided,  by  preachers  who  departed  from  the  simphc- 
ily  of  the  gospel,  and  wasted  time  and  strength,  in  controversies 
and  preaching  on  points  of  minor  importance,  ending  in  lamenta- 
ble defection  from  the  trutji,  and  injury  to  the  churches.  There- 
fore he  gives  his  young  brother  the  affectionate  and  solemn  in- 
junction,— "  I  charge  thee,  before  God  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  shall  judge  the  quick  and  dead,  at  his  appearing  and  his 
kingdom,  preach  the  word."  By  this,  he  apparently  means 
the  great,  fundamental,  and  yet  simple  instructions  of  the  bible  ; 
to  preach,  as  he  elsewhere  expresses  it,  "  the  cross,"  "  Christ 
Jesus  and  him  crucified," — "  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  :" 
to  do  this,  studiously  avoiding  whatever  was  "  unprofitable  and 
vain,"  and  irrelevant  to  the  great  objects  of  "  the  ministry  of  re- 
conciliation." He  would  go  all  lengths  with  any  of  his  bretliren, 
in  studying  and  preaching  "  the  mystery  of  godliness,"  and  "  con- 
lending  for  the  faith  once  delivered  unto  the  saints."  He  shew- 
ed, too,  how  well  he  could  put  forth  his  powers  for  these  purpos- 
es, when  occasion  required.  But  he  had  no  taste  for  heartless 
philosophizing.  He  would  "  preach  down  error,"  and  preach  up 
the  truth,  by  "  preaching  the  word."  He  would  enlighten  the  ig- 
norant, "win  souls"  to  Christ,  edify  the  people  of  God,  and  aid 
the  prosperity  of  Christ's  kingdom,  by  "  preaching  the  word." 

It  is  not  difficult  to  discover  the  bearing  of  Paul's  great  prin- 
ciples on  the  dangers  and  mistakes  of  some  ministers,  even,  upon 


this  subject.  The  history  of  the  Church  infornis  us  of  nincfi  of 
the  kind  of  preaching  whicli  was  to  great  and  good  purpose  ;  and 
of  many  well  contested  victories  of  the  friends  of  the  truth,  over 
errorists  and  dieir  heresies.  But  it  also  acquaints  us  with  subjects 
and  modes  of  preaching,  which  occasioned  a  miserable  waste  of 
some  good  men's  time  and  labours,  in  the  study  and  in  the  pulpit ; 
hindered  them  from  giving  the  kind  of  instruction  adapted  to  be 
"  spirit  and  life"  to  men's  souls  ;  and  j)repared  the  way  for  the 
coming  in  of  errors  in  sentiment  and  practice,  "like  a  flood."  It 
tells  us  of  unhappy  conti-oversies,  commencing  on  unessential 
points,  about  which  Paul  and  Peter  themselves  might  have  differ- 
ed in  sentiment,  and  yet  neither  of  them  have  been  a  heretic  ; 
but  which  resulted  in  the  defection  of  one  or  the  other  from  "  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus." 

The  feelings  and  views  of  Paul,  therefore,  which  led  him  to 
exhort  Timothy  to  "preach  the  word"  in  distinction  from  the 
things  he  named,  would  probably  lead  him  to  exhort  us,  at  the 
present  day,  to  "  preach  the  word,"  in  distinction  from  preaching 
opinions,  dogmas,  or  speculations  ;  in  distinction  from  threading, — 
in  the  pulpit,  or  out  of  it, — the  mazes  of  philosophical  or  meta- 
physical theology  ;  in  distinction  from  preaching  "  about  a  truth, 
and  about  it,"  as  once  said  an  excellent  man,  "  but  not  preaching 
it :  preaching  the  word  in  distinction  from  preaching  on  proposi- 
tions which  are,  at  best,  of  a  doubtful  character,  as  to  their  accor- 
dance with  the  scriptures,  and  in  all  probability  startling  and  per- 
plexing to  many  Christians ;  and  in  distinction  from  preaching 
conjectures,  which,  it  is  true,  may  lie  somewhere  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  truth,  but,  respecting  which,  there  is  all  the  un- 
certainty of  course  attached  to  conjecturing,  in  theology,  as  well 
as  in  any  thing  else.  Well  might  Paul  have  asked, — and  it  be- 
comes every  minister  to  ask, — 'What  have  these  things  to  do  with 
preaching  the  word  ?  with  setting  forth  "  Christ  Jesus  and  him 
crucified  ?" '  And  what  may  not  the  spending  of  time  and  strength 
upon  them  have  to  do  with  bringing  in  great  errors,  both  in  faith 
and  practice  ? 

Farther  light  is  cast  on  the  direction  in  the  text,  if  we  recur  to 
the  preaching  of  our  Sa\  iour,  the  prophets,  and  apostles  :  allow- 


ins;  for  the   fuels,  that  Christ  was  the   Great  Author  of  all   truth, 
and  that  the  prophets  and  apostles  were  hispired  men. 

Our  Saviour  was  in  the  practice  of  setting  forth  the  testimony 
of  the  scriptures;  prefacing  and  interweaving  his  instructions  with 
"  thus  it  is  written,"  "  as  it  is  written,"  "  as  the  scripture  hath 
said."  When  the  muhitudes  gathered  around  him,  he  "  preached 
the  word  unto  them."  In  the  synagogue  at  Nazareth,  he  exhibit- 
ed the  direct  and  solemn  instructions  of  the  bible.  When,  after 
his  resurrection,  he  would  shew  to  two  of  his  disciples  that  it  "  be- 
hoved Christ  to  suffer,  and  to  rise  from  the  dead,"  to  accomplish 
the  redemption  of  sinners ;  he  confined  himself  to  "  the  word"  for 
liis  whole  argument ;  "  beginning  at  Moses  and  all  the  prophets, 
he  expounded  unto  them,  in  all  the  scriptures,  the  things  concern- 
ing himself."  This  he  did  too,  notwithstanding  he  could  have 
produced  conviction  in  their  minds  by  a  much  shorter  process, 
and  "  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye."  For  he  would  put  honour 
upon  the  word,  as  the  only  sure  guide  of  men's  inquiries  respect- 
ing the  truth,  and  as  the  only  rule  of  their  faith.  A  striking  les- 
son to  us,  proud  spirited  men,  so  prone  to  "  lean  to  our  own  un- 
derstandings," and  to  rely  on  the  strength  of  our  own  reasonings, 
instead  of  the  sim})]e  testimony  of  the  scriptures. 

The  prophets  cast  light  on  the  text,  by  their  example.  It  is 
very  noticeable  how  uniformly  they  prefaced  and  interspersed  their 
instructions  with  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord."  They  felt  that  they  were 
responsible  for  a  faithful  delivery  of  the  exact  message  God  had 
conuiiitted  to  them  ;  and  they  steadily  answered  that  responsibility.  • 

The  apostles,  also,  were  in  the  habit  of  basing  all  their  instruc- 
tions upon  the  teachings  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  recorded  in  the  Old 
Testament,  or  given  du-ectly  to  them  by  inspiration.  When  they 
would  set  forth  a  doctrine,  they  did  it  by  "  shewing  from  the 
scriptures,"  what  was  truth.  Wherever  we  find  them,  tliey  are 
"preacliing  the  word."  They  did  not  deal  either  in  undefended 
assertions  ;  but  followed  them  v/ith  expositions  of  proofs  ;  "  testi- 
fied," "  opened,"  "  expounded,"  "  reasoned  out  of  the  scriptures," 
to  men,  in  "  persuading  them  concerning  the  Lord  Jesus." 

Tlie  text  is  yet  furdier  illustrated,  in  the  preaching  and  writing 
of  many  ministers,  of  former  times,  and  of  the  present.  Tiiere  is 
a  richness  in  the  works  of  such  men  as  Flavel,  Owen,  Baxter, 


Edwards,  Cecil,  and  nniny  others,  o(  llicir  limes  and  ours ;  which 
will  make  them  to  he  read  hy  Christians,  with  satisfaction  and 
profit ;  and  by  unconverted  persons  with  seriousness  and  feeling  ; 
till  "  time  shall  be  no  longer."  Wiial  is  the  secret  of  this  ?  Not 
so  much  their  talents  for  argumentation,  powerful  conception,  or 
eloquent  expression ;  though  they  had  all  these.  It  was  their 
having  enriched  their  minds,  and  thus  their  preaching,  from  that  in- 
exhaustible store-house  of  divine  instruction — "  the  word  of  God." 

The  design  of  Paul's  direction,  then,  we  trust,  is  clear.  It  en- 
joins on  us  to  set  forth,  in  the  instructions  of  the  pulpit,  the  riches 
of"  the  scriptures  of  truth." 

The  subject  is  closely  connected  with  the  piosperiiy  of  die 
cause  of  truth,  and  with  ministerial  usefulness.  Let  me  invite  to 
it  your  serious  and  earnest  attention, — my  brethren  of  this  Semi- 
nary, anticipating  an  entrance  upon  the  sacred  office.  The  text, 
and  the  explanatoiy  facts  and  passages  adduced,  set  forth  a  prin- 
ciple, to  be  kept  in  mind  in  all  your  course  of  preparatory  studies 
here,  and  to  govern  you  in  all  your  future  studies  and  ministra- 
tions. It  is  proposed,  in  this  discourse,  to  shew  the  preparatives  for 
))reaching  the  word,  in  the  sense  of  the  expression  set  forth  ;  and 
the  reasons  for  making  this  the  object  of  our  studies,  and  the 
great  characteristic  of  our  instructions. 

I.  We  consider  some  of  the  preparatives  for  preaching  the 
word.  I  speak  here  of  habits  of  mind,  and  modes  of  study,  as 
separate  from  a  plan  or  course  of  theological  education. 

1.  It  is  important  to  have  a  conscientious  reference  to  the 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  all  our  studies.  It  was  one  of 
Paul's  fraternal  benedictions  to  Timothy,  "  The  Lord  give  thee 
tmderstanding  in  all  diings."  It  is  our  privilege  to  use  tliis  as  our 
prayer,  every  hoiu-  of  our  studies.  We  "  lack  wisdom,"  and  must 
"  ask  of  God."  This  we  nuist  do  humbly  ;  for  there  are  no 
promises  to  pride  ;  and  it  is  to  the  humble  that  the  Spirit  vouch- 
safes his  teachings.  We  must  do  it  in  a  willingness  to  know  the 
truth,  whatever  it  is  ;  for  a  mind  reluctant  to  be  convinced,  of 
whatever  God  is  pleased  to  declare  for  our  instruction,  will  remain 
in  ignorance  and  darkness.  It  must  be  done  in  an  implicit  sub- 
mission to  the  divine  teachings  ;  for  it  does  not  comport  with  the 


object  God  has  in  view,  iu  tlie  revelation  of  his  will  to  men,  that 
on  this  point  they  make  any  reservation.  The  frame  of  spirit  with 
which  a  student  or  pastor  should  open  his  bible,  should  ever  be, 
'  What  God  declares,  I  w\U  implicitly  receive.'  Such  prayer 
God  will  answ^er.  Such  frames  of  feeling  he  will  bless.  It  is  a 
precious  promise,  for  the  encouragement  of  those  who  thus  ask, 
"  He,  the  Spirit  of  ti'uth,  will  guide  you  into  all  trutli." 

An  inestimable  privilege  it  is,  for  a  minister,  in  the  conscious- 
ness that  he  is  frail  and  fallible,  in  his  researches  for  instruction, 
for  himself  and  his  people,  frequently  to  lift  up  the  ejaculations, 
"  That  which  I  see  not,  teach  thou  me  ;"  "  Lead  me  into  thy 
truth,  and  teach  me,  for  thou  art  my  God  ;"  "  Oh  !  send  out  thy 
light  and  thy  truth."  Those  who  thus  commit  themselves  to  di- 
vine teaching  and  guidance,  may  rest  confidently  on  another  prom- 
ise, also  ;  "  And  ye  shall  know  the  truth."  And  what  are  all  the 
satisfactions,  ministered  to  the  soul  of  any  man,  by  his  "  reason- 
ing pride,"  compared  wdth  those  of  him,  who  thus  waits  on  God 
for  teaching  ;  and  finds  the  truth,  as  his  reward. 

In  this  connexion,  I  would  remark,  my  brethren,  that  we  do 
well  to  use  the  bible  as  our  prayer  book,  in  our  closets  ;  that  we 
may  enjoy  its  light  in  our  studies.  The  scriptures  never  so  beain 
with  light,  nor  are  disclosed  in  such  beauty  and  glory,  nor  take 
such  hold  on  the  soul,  as  when  read  and  turned  into  prayer,  at  the 
footstool  of  the  "  throne  of  grace."  The  light,  beaming  from  that 
throne,  seems  to  shine  down  upon  the  sacred  page ;  and  will  help 
us,  both  to  get  instruction  for  our  own  good,  and  to  judge  wisely 
what  we  are  to  bring  forth  for  the  good  of  those  to  whom  we  min- 
ister. Of  all  the  modes  of  studying  the  bible,  this  is  the  best. 
We  should,  in  suitable  proportion,  study  it  philologically  and 
theologically.  But  to  study  it  prayerfully,  is  the  method  upon 
which  is  to  be  placed  most  reliance.  This  must  prepare  us  to 
study  subjects  ;  to  write  our  sermons ;  to  preach  in  the  pulpit ; 
and  then  to  preach  in  our  "  manner  of  life."* 

*  On  the  depciidance  of  our  prpiiiirations  for  the  pulpit  upon  prayer,  it  is  a 
^tril;in<r  remark  of  tlic  pious  Martin  JJoos;  "  Those  arc  not  the  best  sermons 
about  which  we  have  most  anxiously  laboured  ;  but  those  which  we  iiave  beg- 
j{ed  of  Iho  Lord,  with  ])rayer.s  uiul  tears." 


2.  On  all  subjects  of  religious  instruction,  we  should  have  a  care- 
ful recourse  to  the  scriptures,  for  information  respecting  them. 
This  is  of  such  importance,  that  it  may  be  safely  asserted, — when 
you  find  in  what  manner,  and  how  much,  a  minister  uses  his  bible, 
in  his  study,  as  well  as  his  closet,  you  may  know  what  kind  of 
preacher  he  is.  "  We  have  a  sure  word  of  prophecy,  whereunto 
we  do  well  that  we  take  heed,  as  imto  a  light  that  shineth  in  a 
dark  place." 

Do  we  know  what  or  how  we  should  preach,  hut  from  "  the 
word  ?"  When  a  minister  is  to  prepare  a  sermon,  where  is  he  to 
get  his  subject,  but  here  ?  When  he  has  chosen  it,  what  does  he 
know  respecting  it,  from  intuition,  or  his  own  opinions,  medita- 
tions, or  speculations ;  or  from  reading  what  other  men  have  writ- 
ten ?  What  has  he  to  do,  what  can  he  do,  till  he  has  devoutly 
and  teaclifibly  inquired  for  the  mind  of  God  upon  his  subject, 
as  revealed  in  the  sacred  scriptures  ?  Our  Lord  commands  us, 
"  Search  the  Scriptures."  "  Have  ye  never  read  ?"  he  was 
accustomed  sometimes  to  ask  men ;  reproving  thus  their  inatten- 
tion to  "  the  word,"  and  indicating  the  importance  he  attached  to 
it,  as  the  source  of  instruction.  The  minister  of  the  gospel  is 
called  to  follow  his  subject  over  the  pages  of  the  bible,  as  his  first 
and  main  business ;  asking,  "  What  is  written  in  tlie  law  ?  how 
readest  thou  ?"  "  What  saith  the  scripture  ?"  anfl  "  holding  fast 
the  faithful  word,"  as  that  alone  which  can  shew  him  what  he  is  to 
receive  himself,  and  teach  to  others. 

When  he  has  thus  gathered  the  instructions  of  the  scriptures 
on  the  subject  in  hand,  he  has  obtained  light,  which  will  not  fail 
him  ;  materials  for  a  sermon,  worth  using ;  a  foundation  on  which 
to  build  his  ov\ti  faith  and  that  of  his  people,  which  nothing  can 
shake ;  instructions  "  more  to  be  desired  than  gold,  yea,  than 
much  fine  gold  ;  sweeter  also  than  honey,  and  the  honey  comb." 
This  is  the  course  which  Paul  pronounced  "  noble,"  in  the  Bere- 
ans ;  and  which  God  ever  richly  rewards.  To  such  a  searcher 
of  the  scriptures,  the  bible,  as  the  "  witness  of  God,"  has  declar- 
ed "  the  truth."  Having  set  this  forth,  he  is  prepared  to  say  to 
his  hearers,  fearlessly,  "  Search  the  scriptures,  whether  these  things 


I© 

are  so."     And  never  let  man's  "  reasoning  pride"  ask  to  be  made 
wise  in  any  other  way  than  through  such  testimony. 

By  no  means  do  we  advocate  using  the  bible  without  study ;  nor 
plead  for  a  minister  to  have  the  privilege  of  spending  his  life,  in 
compiling  from  his  bible,  weekly  concordances  of  texts  upon  the 
subjects  he  chooses  ;  nor  is  it  expedient  to  bring  into  the  pulpit 
the  minutice  of  criticism,  belonging  in  the  study.  We  advocate 
going  to  the  bible  to  get  the  materials  for  thinking, — laborious, 
serious,  devout  thinking, — materials  obtained  in  a  careful  mterpre- 
tation  of  the  various  passages  of  scripture  which  belong  to  the  sub- 
ject in  hand  ;  and  in  the  use  of  which  materials,  a  minister  shall 
help  his  hearers  to  think,  to  know  what  is  the  truth,  to  feel  the 
obligations  of  duty,  and  to  be  savingly  profited. 

"  Preaching  the  word  "  does  not,  of  course,  suppose  that  we 
deal  principally,  or  alone,  in  the  language  of  scriptunfb  There 
may  be,  in  sermons,  lucid  exhibitions  of  divine  truth,  with  scarce 
a  formal  quotation  of  scripture  in  them.  But  the  happy  art  is  un- 
doubtedly to  be  cultivated,  which  some  preachers  have,  of  so  inter- 
weaving the  rich  and  powerful  language  of  scripture,  as  to  give 
life,  light,  and  force  to  every  paragraph  of  a  sermon. 

Some  sermons  seen^.  to  have  been  written  by  men  who  have 
a  general  acquaintance  with  the  bible.  Sermons  which  are  de- 
signed to  do  good  to  immortal  souls,  my  brethren,  should  show 
that  the  preacher  has  filled  his  heart  and  mind  with  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  word  upon  the  subjects  he  presents  ;  and  that  he  has 
prayed  them  into  his  whole  frame  of  feeling. 

3.  A  supreme  interest  should  be  felt  in  the  study  of  the  scrip- 
tures. What  books  ought  to  interest  any  man,  especially  a  min- 
ister, like  the  word  of  God  ?  In  what  study  should  his  heart  de- 
light, so  much  as  in  this?  What  discussions  of  even  religious 
truth,  should  possess  for  him  half  the  interest  with  which  he 
should  regard  the  revelations  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ?  We  have  great 
occasion  to  be  suspicious  that  all  is  not  right  in  the  state  of  our 
hearts,  if  we  find  ourselves  inclined  to  read  the  books  of  men, 
rather  than  the  book  of  God  ;  or  tb  follow  the  path  of  some  favo- 
rite speculation,  rather  than  the  path  of  divine  truth,  as  marked 
out   in   the   scriptures.     Not  tliat  we  are  to  deny  ourselves  the 


II 

pleasure  and  profit  of  reading  the  works  of  good  men,  both  an- 
cient and  modern  ;  nor  to  refrain  from  investigating  and  drawing 
upon  tlie  resources  of  our  own  minds,  by  pure  thinking.  But  we 
should  have  such  feelings  respecting  the  holy  bible,  that  we  shall 
pass  from  our  highest  efforts  of  mind,  and  from  the  reading  of  the 
books  of  tlie  greatest  and  best  men,  to  "  the  word,"  saying  in 
ourselves, — '  after  all,  this  is  the  book  ;  here  is  the  source  of  im- 
pulses to  diought ;  here  are  the  aids  to  reflection.'  The  clear  and 
powerful  argumentation,  the  commanding  eloquence,  the  captivat- 
ing elegance,  and  the  lofty  conceptions,  of  some  writers  and  preach- 
ers, are  all  good  in  theii*  place.  But  how  far,  immeasurably  far, 
are  they  exceeded,  by  David  and  Isaiah,  Paul  and  John,  and  their 
brethren  and  companions,  in  the  communication  of  "  the  mind  of 
the  Spirit."  It  has  been  justly  said,  by  a  favourite  Christian  poet, 
— and  ever  should  the  student  and  minister  feel  the  force  of  the 
sentiment, — 

•'  A  irlory  gilds  the  sjicred  page, 

Majestic,  like  the  sun  ; 
It  gives  a  light  to  every  age, — 

It  gives — but  borrows  none." 

Had  the  Most  High  honoured  our  world  witii  the  gift  of  one 
man  to  dwell  in  it,  on  whom  he  had  bestowed  the  talents  and  the 
heart  of  Gabriel ;  yet  we  might  truly  say,  Uiat  in  the  contempla- 
tion of  this  book,  he  would  find  ample  range  for  the  powers  of  his 
mighty  mind,  and  inestimable  matter  of  interest  for  his  angelic 
heart.  We  have  no  reason,  indeed,  to  doubt,  that  these  same  rev- 
elations of  tlie  word  to  us,  compose  an  interesting  portion  of  the 
subjects  of  the  delightful  contemplations,  which  will  to  eternity  go 
on  among  the  pure  spirits  before  the  throne  of  God  ;  and  which 
are  to  unite  them  in  the  love  and  adoration  of  God  for  ever. 

4.  In  all  our  studies  we  should  habitually  keep  in  mind  the 
supreme  authority  of  the  decisions  which  the  word  reveals,  re- 
specting trudi.  The  moment  you  open  your  bible,  you  are  vir- 
tually hearing  God  speak.  God  appeared,  in  a  nnraculous  man- 
ner, to  many  of  his  ancient  servants  ;  asserted  to  them  solemn 
truths,  and  gave  them  high  commands.  But  the  word  of  God, 
which  we  have,  is  his  voice  speaking  to  us,  now,  in  all  the  reality 


12 

and  authority  which  attached  to  his  audible  addresses  to  Abra- 
ham, Moses,  Isaiah,  Paul,  and  John.  Those  direct  "voices  from 
the  excellent  glory,"  were  given  for  a  time  only,  as  substitutes  for 
the  equally  inspired  and  authoritative  instructions  of  this  holy  and 
glorious  book. 

The  simple  fact,  that  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord,"  on  any  subject, 
is  enough.  Our  implicit  faith  is  authoritatively  claimed,  to  what- 
ever is  thus  authenticated.  Our  preaching  according  to  it  is  sol- 
emnly enjoined.  And  the  reasonings  of  our  minds,  as  perplexing 
us  respecting  the  decisions  of  the  word,  or  as  varying  from  those 
decisions,  "  one  jot  or  tittle,"  have  no  right  in  our  breasts,  or  in 
our  pulpits.  The  intellectual  and  spiritual  attitude  of  tlie  holy 
Habakkuk  was,  "  I  will  stand  upon  my  watch,  and  set  me  upon 
the  tower,  and  will  watch  to  see  what  he  will  say  unto  me." 
Readiness  of  mind  to  receive  the  decisions  of  the  sacred  record, 
and  watchfulness  for  the  truth  at  the  openings  of  the  word,  well 
become  "  ambassadors  for  Christ." 

Here  is  a  danger,  into  which  some  good  men,  as  well  as  oth- 
ers, have  run,  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  cause  of  truth,  to  their 
own  injury,  the  embarrassment  of  Christians,  and  the  destruction 
of  others. 

The  temptation  is  a  very  subtle  one,  to  let  the  researches  of 
our  reason,  ere  we  are  aware  of  it,  run  belore  the  testimony  ol 
revelation ;  and  finally,  to  let  the  decisions  of  reason  come  into 
competition  with  the  decisions  of  revelation.  Aii  affecting  case  of 
this,  in  a  good  man,  was  that  of  the  venerable  and  pious  Dr. 
Watts,  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life.  Let  any  minister,  who  is 
fond  of  thinking  and  writing  widi  his  bible  shut,  read  Dr.  Watts's 
"  Solemn  Address  to  the  ever-blessed  God,  on  a  review  of  what 
he  had  written  in  tlie  Trinitarian  controversy  ;"  and  see  how  a 
Christian  and  a  minister  may  perplex  himself,  and  become  almost 
deprived  of  his  hope  in  Christ,  and  of  his  confidence  in  the  decis- 
ions of  the  bible,  by  running  into  adventurous  speculations,  and 
letting  his  pride  of  opinion  and  reason  quarrel  with  his  heart,  and 
with  the  positive  and  holy  declarations  of  the  word  of  God.  In 
like  nunincr  have  other  men,  on  other  religious  doctrines  and 
points  of  doctrine,  bewildered  themselves   and  others ;  interfered 


13 

with  the  firnmess  of  their  own  belief,  and  that  of  others,  in  the 
truth  ;  with  the  growth  of  piety  in  their  own  hearts,  and  the  hearts 
of  others ;  with  the  comforts  of  their  own  hope,  and  the  hopes  of 
others ;  and  with  tlieir  own  charity  towards  those  who  have  been 
compelled,  from  love  to  the  truth,  to  differ  from  them. 

On  the  danger  which  we  are  considering,  I  once  heai-d  an  em- 
inent scholar  and  minister,  of  our  own  time  and  country,"  remark, 
"  When  I  keep  to  the  bible,  in  my  inquiries  on  divine  truth,  I  am 
on  a  rock, — a  firm  foundation.  But  when  I  indulge  in  the  adven- 
turous speculations  of  my  own  reason,  I  am  at  once,  out  at  sea, 
without  chart  or  compass." 

AU'ecting  illustrations  of  the  dangers  of  a  fondness  for  adven- 
turous speculation,  in  a  thoughtlessness  of  the  authority  of  the 
scripture  testimony,  we  have  seen,  in  some  distinguished  errorists. 
They  began,  probably,  with  preaching  the  truth.  But,  from  in- 
dulging in  such  speculations,  growing  confident  in  their  own  theo- 
ries, and  ultimately  taking  reason  or  an  erroneous  philosophy,  for 
their  guide,  they  first  unsettled  tlieir  own  minds  respecting  some 
one  truth  ;  tlien  gave  up  one  truth  after  another ;  till  they  renounc- 
ed the  Christian  faith,  as  to  all  its  important  and  distinguishing 
features ;  and  finally  gave  up  the  bible  itself.  "  Let  him  that 
thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall." 

In  the  cases  of  such,  the  way  w-as,  doubtless,  prepared  for  a 
defection  from  the  truth,  in  their  having  never  "  received  the  love 
of  the  truth."  Paul  gives  some  fearful  premonitions  respecting 
such.  "  For  this  cause"  (i.  e.  their  not  having  received  "  the 
love  of  the  truth,")  God  shall  send  them  strong  delusions,  that  they 
may  believe  a  lie."  We  see  such  men  spend  their  lives,  "  ever 
learning,  and  never  able  to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth." 
It  is  no  matter  of  mystery;  for  they  reject  the  guidance  which  God 
offers  them,  by  his  own  word  and  Spirit.  "  Seducing  spirits,"  in 
their  own  breasts,  in  other  men,  and  from  the  ranks  of  the  great 
deceiver,  lead  them  astray. 

A  strange  and  melancholy  process  it  is,  by  which  many  a  man 
is  seduced  into  error.  He  cautiously,  timidly,  and  slowly,  but  inge- 
niously, cunningly,  and  decidedly,  rejects  the  truth.  He  learns  to 
lake  pleasure  in  the  unrighteousness  of  error,  and  in  the  pride  of 


14 

having  made  some  supposed  discovery  of  new  light, — which  may 
prove  to  be,  as  an  eloquent  preacher  once  remarked,  only  a  "new 
edition  of  old  darkness." 

He  professes  to  be  in  the  earnest  pursuit  of  truth.  But,  with 
the  very  book  of  God  m  his  hands, — the  pride  of  human  reason 
in  his  heart  keeping  him  from  using  it, — he  "  gropes,  like  the 
blind,"^-"  gropes  as  if  he  had  no  eyes,"  and  "  stumbles  at  noon- 
day, as  in  the  night."  In  the  progress  of  time,  it  is  found  that  he 
has  gone  away  on  the  circuitous  path  of  error,  till  he  has  turned 
his  back  on  God,  the  truth,  and  heaven  ;  and  he  is  far  on  in  the 
way  downward  to  the  terrible  "  portion  of  unbelievers."  If  he 
be  in  the  sacred  office,  and  possess  any  influence,  he  goes  not 
alone  on  that  path,  l^e  becomes  a  blind  leader  of  the  blind  ;  and 
makes,  with  a  crowd  of  precious  souls,  who  ought  to  have  been 
saved  through  his  instrumentality,  the  fearful  plunge  into  ruin  and 
woe  eternal. 

It  is  by  no  means  to  be  the  opinion  of  the  Christian  student  and 
minister,  that  the  scripture  forbids  the  use  of  reason,  in  matters  of 
religion.  It  invites,  yea  directs  us,  to  "  prove  all  tilings ;"  and 
apostolic  example,  especially,  illustrates  and  enforces  this  direc- 
tion. But  the  word  of  God  requires  still,  that  human  reason  shall 
perform  its  office  in  its  proper  sphere.  On  "  the  things  of  God" 
reason  is  bound  to  use,  and  supremely  rely  upon  the  logic  of  the 
bible  ;  and  should  never  presume  to  run  before  the  word,  or  away 
from  it,  in  search  of  truth,  by  its  own  dim  taper-light.  God  re- 
quires in  his  ministers, — and  how  reasonably, — the  implicitness 
and  humility  of  faith.  It  is  alike  our  duty  and  our  privilege,  to 
"sit  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  hear  his  word,"  as  that  alone  which 
can  inform  us  wiiat  he  would  have  us  believe,  do,  and  teach. 
While  we  industriously  use  our  reason,  in  its  proper  work  of  study- 
ing the  testimony  of  the  word,  and  please  ourselves  with  making 
progress  in  knowledge,  and  with  grasping  after  better  and  better 
acquaintance  wiih  the  great  eternal  truths  of  revelation  ;  still  are 
we  to  look  narrowly  for  that  limit  to  the  curiosity  and  adventm-ous- 
ness  of  the  human  mind,  where  God  has  written,  "  Thus  far  shalt 
thou  come,  and  no  farther." 

Nor  do  the  scriptures  place  any  unreasonable  restraints  upon 


15 

the  right  of  free  inquiry  ;  about  which  so  mucli  has  been  and  is 
still  said.  What  is  this  right  of  free  inquiry,  in  matters  of  relig- 
ion ?  If  I  do  not  mistake  the  spiiMt  of  the  divine  instructions,  it  is, 
the  right  which  you  have  to  study  the  bible  as  much  as  you 
please, — and  your  inclination  never  can  exceed  your  duty  in  this 
matter  ; — and  your  right  to  study  it  as  independently  as  you 
please  of  the  interpretations  of  other  men,  except  as  they  agree 
with  the  tenor  and  spii'it  of  tlie  word  itself;  to  find  in  it  all  the 
truth  you  can ;  to  believe  all  the  truth  you  find  in  it,  and  not  a 
particle  more;  and  all  this  under  responsibility  to  but  one  Being  in 
all  the  universe,  to  Christ,  the  "  King  of  Ti'uth."  But  to  Him, 
remember  that  your  responsibility  is  solemn  ;  and  that  it  is  to  be 
accounted  for  at  his  final  tribunal. 

5.  We  should  accustom  ourselves  to  place  a  high  value  upon 
the  scriptures,  as  the  only  satisfactory  source  of  argument,  on  all 
the  great  subjects  of  religion.  From  the  habits  of  mind,  and 
modes  of  discussion,  sometimes  seen  in  the  pulpit  and  the  theo- 
logical chair,  it  seems  to  be  the  opinion  of  some,  that  their  strength 
in  argument  and  skill  in  persuasion  cannot  be  shown,  and  the  sub- 
ject in  hand  properly  set  forth,  unless  they  draw  out  a  chain  of 
abstract  reasoning  ; — as  if  the  scripture  views  giv^n  of  the  doc- 
trine were  old  fashioned,  trite,  and  not  affording  sufficient  range 
for  their  powers. 

Now,  has  God,  in  giving  to  men  his  announcements  of  truth, 
and  the  reasons  for  their  faith,  on  any  matter  of  doctrine,  set  forth 
his  mind  with  a  feebleness  inviting  the  rivalry  of  man's  powers  of 
argumentation  ?  Is  it  the  reasoning  of  man,  ever  so  ingenious, 
that  carries  conviction  to  the  conscience  and  heart  of  the  sinner  ? 

It  becomes  us,  my  brethren,  to  guard,  faithfully,  against  an 
undervaluing  of  the  scripture  arguments,  with  which  we  are  called 
to  press  the  understandings  and  consciences  of  men.  "  Be  not 
wise  in  your  own  conceit ;"  "  Cease  from  thine  own  wisdom  ;" 
says  the  word,  to  every  minister.  Never  sit  down  to  study,  never 
enter  the  pulpit,  in  proud  reliance  upon  your  own  mental 
strength.  It  requires  the  might  of  the  greatest  human  mind,  to 
set  forth,  in  a  suitable  manner,  what  God  has  said,  as  disclosing 
the  means  for  producing  conviction  ;  without  spending  time  or  ef- 


16 

fort  for  the  invention  of  curious  reasonings  of  your  own,  with 
which  to  entertain  your  hearers.  That  reasoning  is  the  reasoning 
from  which  men  find  it  hopeless  to  attempt  an  escape,  which  is 
derived  from  the  scriptures. 

Look  at  Paul's  feelings  and  practice  on  this  point.  How 
cautious  was  he  to  bind  himself,  m  all  his  researches  and  preach- 
ing, to  the  sacred,  beautiful,  and  sublime  simplicity  of  divine 
truth.  How  did  he  deprecate  "  leaning  to  his  own  understand- 
ing," and  bringing  man  into  the  work  of  God  ;  either  in  the  con- 
struction of  his  arguments,  or  the  manner  of  his  preaching. 
"  When  I  came  to  you,  brethren,"  says  he  to  the  Corinthians,  "  I 
came  not  with  excellency  of  speech,  or  of  wisdom,  declaring  unto 
you  the  testimony  of  God.  For  I  determined  not  to  know  any- 
thing among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified  ;"  "  And 
my  speech  and  my  preaching  was  not  with  enticing  words  of 
man's  wisdom,  but  in  the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  pow- 
er ;  that  your  faith  should  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in 
the  power  of  God."  Again  says  he,  "  For  Christ  sent  me  to 
preach  the  gospel,  not  with  wisdom  of  words,  lest  the  cross  of 
Christ  should  be  made  of  none  effect."  Among  ministers  of 
Christ,  eminent  and  well  worthy  of  our  imitation,  stands  this  apos- 
tle, as  devoting  his  great  mind  to  the  simple,  childlike  reception  of 
the  testimony  of  Jesus  ;  and  a  like  simple  and  heart-enlivening 
exhibition  of  it  in  all  his  instructions.  We  see  litde  of  Paul, — the 
man.  He  hid  himself  behind  his  subject ;  and  in  reasoning  wnth 
his  fellow  men,  devoted  "  all  his  heart,  soul,  mind,  and  strength," 
to  placing  before  them,  with  the  eloquence  of  unaffected  piety,  the 
simple  truth,  and  the  ineffable  glory  of  "  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord." 

6.  Another  thing  concerned  in  the  direction  of  our  text,  is 
what  Paul  calls  "  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth  ;"  by  which 
we  may  understand  him,  preaching  upon, — and  of  coui^se  princi- 
pally studying  in  private, — the  subjects  for  which  the  character 
and  circumstances  of  our  hearers  call  most ;  and  which  are  prom- 
inent on  the  sacred  pages. 

Curious  points  of  inquiry,  having  no  important  practical  bear- 
ings, may  be  started,  even  in  reading  the  scriptures,  and  especially 
by  a  fanciful  mind  ;  which,  it  would   seem,  no  man,  of  common 


sense  need  be  told  it  is  inexpedient  to  spend  time  in  agitating,  any 
where,  and  above  all,  in  the  pulpit.  It  would  be  easy  to  give  a 
numerous  catalogue  of  questions  vvhich  have  been  brought  for- 
ward for  discussion,  and  which  have  been  subjects  of  warm  dis- 
putation in  the  church,  in  past  times,  besides  many  agitated  at  the 
present ;  the  real  importance  of  which, — with  all  due  deference  to 
some  great  and  good  names, — seems,  to  say  the  least,  very  ques- 
tionable.* Many  a  man  has  made  for  himself  some  point,  or  set 
of  points,  of  curious  inquhy ;  and  made  them  too,  perhaps,  divid- 
ing points  between  himself  and  other  men ;  has  magnified  them 
into  disproportionate  importance,  by  long  contemplation  of  them  ; 
and  has  contrived  to  bring  them  forward  in  almost  all  his  preach- 
ing ;  who,  if  he  could  be  persuaded  to  stop  thinking  and  preach- 
ing upon  them,  for  a  few  years,  and  then  go  to  the  prayerful, 
teachable,  and  candid  searching  of  his  bible,  would  find  that  the 
bible  eitlier  says  nothing  about  them,  or  that  it  shews  them  as  of 
minor  importance,  in  comparison  with  most  others.  It  would  be 
an  easy  matter  for  a  mmister  to  spend  his  life,  and  the  strength  of 
his  talents,  in  discussing  a  long  catalogue  of  such  curious  points  ; 
at  the  bottom  of  which  catalogue  a  good  man's  heart  would  in- 
cline him  to  write — What  is  the  use  of  discussing  such  subjects? 
— ^points,  in  agitating  which,  a  minister  would  not  be  in  the  way  to 
establish  one  important  article  of  the  Chi-istian  faitli ;  nor  to  touch 
one  heart,  nor  to  arouse  one  conscience,  nor  to  "  convert  a  sinner 
from  the  error  of  his  way."  Did  Paul  preach  upon  such  sub- 
jects ?  Did  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ever  trifle  in  this  manner  ? 
Talk  upon  such  points  to  an  unconverted  man,  who  is  inquiring, 
in  deep  solicitude,  "  What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?" — is  this  what 
he  needs  ?  Preach  upon  them  in  a  congregation,  where  the  Holy 
Spirit  is  quickening  the  people  of  God,  and  awakening  the  uncon- 
verted ;  are  tliese  the  subjects  which  will  minister  to  "  godly  edi- 
fying," and  lead  sinners  to  repentance  ?f 

The  great  and  fundamental  subjects  of  divine  revelation  ;  the 
instructions  which  stand  in  one  way  or  otlier  connected  with  the 
great  system,  "  Chi-ist  crucified  ;"  which  are  essential  in  our  sys- 

*  Note  A.  Appendix.  t  See  Appendix,  Note  B. 

3 


18 

tern  of  laiili  as  Cliiistians,  and  are  designed  lo  influence  our  char- 
acters and  manner  of  life ;  the  instructions  which  shew  us  God  in 
his  glory ;  ourselves  in  our  guilt  and  unworthiness ;  the  will  of 
God,  and  our  duty  ;  the  subjects  on  which  we  feel,  and  over 
which  we  want  to  pray ;  and  which,  like  the  omnipresence  of 
God,  are  with  our  thoughts  every  where  ;  the  subjects  which  are 
practical  in  their  character  ;  and  which,  from  this  cii-cumstance, 
find  their  way  to  men's  hearts  and  consciences,  and  are  likely  to 
have  effect,  soon  or  late  ;  the  subjects,  in  a  word,  on  which  it  is 
not  safe  for  our  hearers  to  be  in  ignorance,  mistake,  or  error  : — in 
setting  forth  these  matters  of  instruction,  are  we  "  rightly  to  divide 
the  word  of  truth."  There  may  be  ten  thousand  provable  propo- 
sitions, invented  by  a  curious  student  of  the  bible,  or  a  wrangling 
theologian,  which  are  capable  of  being  discussed,  ably  and  inge- 
niously, in  the  theological  chair,  or  the  minister's  meeting  ;  and 
belonging  there,  if  any  where  ;  without  a  knowledge  of  which  pro- 
})Ositions  a  sinner  may  "  be  saved."  But  there  are  numerous, 
great,  essential,  and  solemn  truths  and  duties,  inscribed  on  the 
pages  of  the  bible,  as  with  a  sun-beam  ;  without  a  knowledge  of 
which,  a  sinner  certainly  will  "  be  damned."  A  minister  who 
spends  his  time  on  the  first,  may  perhaps  be  a  good  man,  and  may 
be  "  saved,  so  as  by  fire  ;"  but  he  certainly  misjudges  in  regard 
to  this  matter.  Many  a  dying  sinner,  sitting  under  his  ministry, 
will  slide  away  down  to  perdition,  unhindered  by  his  most  able 
and  ingenious  discussions  of  such  subjects.  A  serious  declaration 
of  God  it  is,  respecting  such,  truly,  "  his  blood  will  I  requii-e  at 
the  watchman's  hand."  On  the  odier  hand,  a  minister  who  de- 
votes his  time,  talents,  and  opportunities  to  the  instruction  of  his 
people  on  die  last  named  class, — and  tlicy  are  enough  to  occupy 
a  longer  life  than  was  ever  yet  given  to  man, — he  is  "  a  workman 
needing  not  to  be  ashamed  ;"  he  will  see  the  glory  of  Christ,  and 
the  salvation  of  men,  through  his  own  instrumentality. 

In  a  word,  die  shortness  and  unspeakable  preciousncss  of  the 
time  which  any  minister  has,  in  which  to  labour  for  die  divine  glo- 
ry, and  tlic  salvation  of  men,  forbid  that  he  spend  it  in  mere  grave 
and  ingenious  trifling ;  and  demand  diat  he  should  faithfully  im- 
prove it,  in  bringing  forward  as  many  as  possible  of  die  great  and 


19 


inipoitant  subjects  of  divine  revelation  ;  and  as  few  as  possible  of 
nice  pouits  of  speculation  :  that  he  should  preach  as  much  of  "  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ"  as  he  can  have  time  to  preach,  on 
this  side  of  heaven. 


In  pursuing  the  examination  of  this  subject,  we  consider,  as 
was  proposed, 

II.  Some  of  the  reasons  for  using  such  matter  of  public  in- 
sti'uction,  as  is  enjoined  in  the  text. 

1.  We  briefly  notice  a  few  reasons,  of  a  general  character,  in 
which  all  are  concerned,  who  attend  upon  tlie  preaching  of  the 
gospel ;  especially  those  who  have  not  yet  submitted  their  hearts 
to  its  saving  efficacy. 

Great  importance  is  attached  to  the  knowledge  of  divine  truth 
in  the  scriptures  themselves.  For  this  knowledge  hearers  depend 
much, — oftentimes  too  much, — on  dieir  ministers.  But  that  de- 
pendance  must  be  faithfully  answered. 

The  character  of  a  people,  for  intelligence  in  religious  things, 
depends  upon  it.  According  as  we  preach,  or  withhold,  the 
word  ;  and  according  as,  on  the  one  hand,  we  preach  it  simply, 
definitely,  plainly,  pointedly,  fully ;  or,  on  the  other  hand,  preach 
it  indistinctly,  circuitously,  partially,  or  adulterated  by  "  carnal 
contrivances  ;"  so  will  it  be  with  our  hearers.  Look  for  the  min- 
ister, in  the  state  of  his  people's  minds,  as  to  intelligence ;  if  he 
has  had  opportunity  to  do  his  work  for  a  reasonable  length  of 
time ;  for,  in  most  cases,  the  character  of  his  ministry,  will  be 
more  or  less  visible. 

One  great  object  of  God  in  sending  tlie  Holy  Spii'it  into  the 
world,  is  to  mform  men's  minds  and  hearts  respecting  the  truth. 
He  "  opens  their  understandings,  that  they  may  understand  Uie 
scriptures." 

VVe  are  to  tell  men,  among  otlier  things,  that  they  must  "  be- 
lieve." But  we  lay  no  foundation  for  dieir  faith,  except  in  a  full 
exhibition  of  "  the  word  of  truth." 


20 

The  preaching  of  the  word  is  that  alone  which  will  keep  its 
hold  on  men's  consciences,  and  constrain  them  to  feel  some  inte- 
rest in  the  concerns  of  the  life  to  come.  This  is  popular  preach- 
ing with  the  consciences  of  men  ;  and  that,  many  times,  when  feel- 
ings of  o])position  to  it  arise  in  their  hearts.  Here  is  probably  one 
explanation  of  the  singular  fact,  that  after  Paul's  first  arousing  ser- 
mon in  the  synagogue  at  Antioch,  "  the  Gentiles  besought  that 
these  words  might  be  preached  to  them  the  next  sabbath  ;  and 
the  next  sabbath  day  came  almost  the  W'hole  city  together,  to  hear 
the  word  of  God."  Popular  preaching,  my  brethren,  is  the  faith- 
ful declaration  of  the  "  counsel  of  God."  Unconverted  men  will 
often  go  away  from  hearing  such  preaching,  uneasy  and  offended. 
But  their  consciences,  under  the  urgency  of  truth,  will  compel 
them  to  come  and  hear  more  of  it. 

Tliis  is  the  kind  of  preaching  which  awakens  and  fixes  the  at- 
tention of  the  thoughtless  sinner  ;  strips  the  world  before  his  eyes 
of  its  deceitful  charms ;  compels  him  to  say  to  God,  like  the 
trembling  Adam  in  Eden,  "  I  heard  thy  voice."  This  it  is  which 
pricks  him  in  the  heart ;  discloses  to  him  his  guilt,  as  a  transgres- 
sor against  God  ;  prostrates  his  pride  ;  drives  him  forth  from  his 
false  refuges  ;  uncovers  before  him  the  abyss  of  destruction  ;  and 
makes  him  to  cry,  in  consternation  and  agony,  "  What  shall  I  do 
to  be  saved  ?"  This  is  also  the  preaching, — thanks  be  to  God, — 
which  points  the  sinner  to  the  cross,  to  "  the  Lamb  of  God,  who 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world ;"  to  the  "  door  of  hope ;"  to  the 
great  and  eternal  refuge  of  his  soul  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
This  is  the  means  by  which  faithful  ministers  prepare  the  w"ay  for 
revivals  of  religion.  Such  preaching  the  Holy  Ghost  descends  to 
bless,  to  the  unconverted.  Here  was  tlie  instrumentality  of  the 
aposdes  in  the  events  of  the  "  day  of  Pentecost."  Here  is  the  in- 
strumentality of  ministers  of  the  present  day,  in  the  events  of  these 
Pentecost  months  and  years,  in  which  many  of  the  people  of  God 
rejoice.  While,  during  such  bright  harvest  seasons,  many  a  min- 
ister "  reaps  in  joy  ;"  by  the  testimony  of  converts  respecting  his 
preaching  of  the  word,  he  is  pointed  back  to  the  past  days  and 
years,  in  which,  he  remembers,  that  under  clouds  and  discour- 
agement, l;e  went  forth,  with   a  heavy  heart,   "  bearing  precious 


21 

seed,"  and  "  sowing  it  in  tears,"  which  Ills  Lord  and  Master,  he 
now  finds,  had  determined  should  not  be  lost. 

2.  There  is  another  class  of  reasons,  in  which  our  fellow  Chris- 
tians, sitting  under  our  ministry,  are  more  especially  concerned  ; 
and  in  which  are  disclosed  some  of  the  great  results  of  our  labours 
for  the  church  of  God,  in  distinction  from  the  world. 

Preaching  the  word  assists  to  make  enlightened  Christians. 
It  is  communicating  to  them  the  best  of  all  learning  and  wisdom. 
It  assists  them  to  take  rational  views  on  all  the  great  subjects 
which  concern  the  eternal  life  of  men ;  and  to  be  clear  in  their 
conceptions  of  them.  It  helps  them  to  know  what  they  are  to  be- 
lieve, and  why  they  are  to  believe  it.  They  may  be  "  babes"  in 
the  knowledge  of  speculative  niceties  ;  but  under  the  preaching  of 
the  word  they  will  have  knowledge  which  is  "  hid  from  the  wise 
and  prudent."  On  "  the  things  of  the  kingdom  of  God,"  they 
become  well  informed,  think  justly,  discriminate  accurately,  and 
reason  correctly  and  conclusively.  They  acquire  an  educa- 
tion in  the  school  of  Christ,  by  which  their  minds  become,  in  the 
best  sense,  enlarged  and  elevated.  It  is  both  surprising  and  de- 
lightful, to  see  how  much  the  simple  preaching  of  the  word  does, 
for  the  intellectual  as  well  as  moral  elevation  of  many  a  humble 
disciple  of  Christ. 

Preaching  the  word  of  Christ  assists  to  make  practical  Chris- 
tians. For  in  so  doing,  my  brethren,  we  speak  of  things  which 
are  not  to  be,  in  God's  children,  matters  of  that  knowledge  which 
"  puffedi  up,"  or  to  remain  in  the  mind  as  a  dead  letter  ;  but 
which  are  to  have  an  influence  on  their  characters  and  lives. 
Preaching  the  word  is  spiritual,  distinguishing,  searching,  serious 
preaching  ;  and  therefore  assists  to  make  "  the  padi  of  the  just  as 
a  shining  light."  It  promotes  faithfulness  in  duty,  circumspection 
in  conduct,  diligence  in  the  Christian  course.  We  set  before  them 
instructions,  which,  if  spiritually  discerned,  will  have  a  directing, 
quickening,  and  sanctifying  influence ;  preparatory  to  our  "  pre- 
senting every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus."  Our  preaching,  in 
the  pulpit  is  thus  again  preached  to  the  men  of  the  world,  in  the 
practical  godliness  of  Christians.  Thus  also  we  can  enter  into 
the  holy  satisfaction  of  Paul,  when,  referring  to  the  exemplary 


22 

character  of  his  Corinthian  hrethren,  he  says,  "  Ye  are  our  epis- 
tle, written  in  our  hearts,  known  and  read  of  all  men ;  forasmuch 
as  ye  are  manifestly  declared  to  be  the  epistle  of  Christ,  minister- 
ed by  us ;  written  not  with  ink,  but  with  the  Spirit  of  the  living 
God ;  not  in  tables  of  stone,  but  in  fleshly  tables  of  the  heart ;" 
"great  is  my  glorying  of  you." 

This  is  the  kind  of  preaching  which  ministers  to  Christian  ex- 
perience. We  thus  set  forth  that  which  God  the  Holy  Spirit  is 
pleased  to  bless,  as  a  means,  at  first,  of  "  creating  men  anew  in 
Christ  Jesus  unto  holiness  and  good  works,"  and  afterwards  of 
great  spiritual  mercies,  increasing  Uiem  in  gifts  and  graces.  Un- 
der such  preaching  it  is,  that  we  see  those  who  have  sensible  and 
satisfactory  experience  of  the  "  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  their 
hearts ;"  of  "  faith  which  worketh  by  love ;"  of  "  godly  sorrow," 
and  yet  of  "joy  and  peace  in  believing  ;"  of  hope,  consolation, 
quickening,  light,  deliverance  from  the  reigning  power  of  sin,  spirit- 
ual discernment  of  Christ ;  and  a  rich  inventory  of  other  blessings, 
making  the  Christian  happy,  and  preparing  him  to  give  honour  to 
his  Lord  and  Master. 

This  Is  the  kind  of  preaching  which  ministers  to  the  prosperi- 
ty of  Christians.  In  the  instructions  of  his  word,  "  the  Lord  God 
hath  given  us  the  tongue  of  the  learned,  that  we  should  know  how 
to  speak  a  word  in  season  to  him  that  is  weary."  In  dispensing 
"  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word,"  we  furnish  that  by  means  of 
which  they  "  may  grow."  We  "strengthen  the  weak  hands,  con- 
firm the  feeble  knees,"  and  "  say  unto  them  that  are  of  a  fearful 
heart,  be  strong."  Thus  the  people  of  God  will  prosper  in  die 
spu'itual  manhood.  "  They  shall  mount  up  on  wings  as  eagles  ; 
they  shall  run  and  not  be  weary  ;  they  shall  walk  and  not  faint." 
They  will  be  assisted  to  "  press  toward  the  mark  of  tlie  prize  of 
their  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus." 

Instructions  of  such  a  character  minister  to  the  firm  establish- 
ment of  Christians.  It  is  probable  that  one  of  the  causes  of  feeble 
hope,  partial  satisfaction,  and  the  suffering,  by  some  Clu-istians, 
of  spiritual  infirmness  generally,  is,  the  failure  of  their  ministers  in 
regard  to  a  clear,  instructive,  practical  preaching  of  the  word. 
Tlie  great  adversary  takes  advantage  of  partial  and  indefinite  ex- 


23 

hibitions,  as  well  as  of  the  entire  concealment  of  the  truth,  and 
tile  leaching  of  error ;  to  do  injury  to  Christians,  as  well  as  to  de- 
stroy the  souls  of  unconverted  persons.  On  the  other  hand,  what 
is  the  secret  of  the  spiritual  firmness  of  some  other  Christians  ? 
They  have  comparatively  little  darkness,  few  fears  and  doubts, 
and  are  successful  in  "  fighting  the  good  fight  of  faith."  Through 
the  preaching,  as  well  as  their  private  study,  of  "  the  word  of 
Christ,"  and  with  that  word  "  dwelling  in  them  richly,  in  all  wis- 
dom," they  have  become  as  "  mount  Zion,  which  cannot  be  mov- 
ed, but  abideth  for  ever."  Does  an  unbeliever  seek  to  dispute 
vvitli  such  a  Christian,  and  to  ensnare  him  with  the  sophistry  of 
error .''  The  Christian  can  reason  with  the  unbeliever  "  out  of  die 
scriptures ;"  and  that  is  reasoning  which  none  can  "  gainsay  or 
resist."  An  eminent  civilian  once  remarked  ;  "  In  my  early  life, 
on  a  journey,  I  accidentally  fell  into  the  company  of  a  plain  but 
pious  man,  with  whom  I  undertook  to  ai'gue  in  favor  of  infidel 
opinions,  then  fashionable;  but  I  found  that  plain  bible-read  Chris- 
tian to  be  too  mighty  for  me." 

Is  the  hope  of  such  a  Christian  assailed  ? — he  is  prepared  to 
"  give  a  reason  of  it."  Through  the  means  of  such  instructions, 
he  is  "  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Je- 
sus Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner-stone."  And  all  the 
skepticism  in  the  universe  cannot  move  him. 

This  is  the  kind  of  preaching  which  ministers  to  the  enjoy- 
ments of  Christians.  The  word  which  we  preach  is  "  the  word 
of  faith,"  saith  Paul,"  of  "  faith  toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
By  it,  therefore,  the  acquaintance  of  Christians  is  assisted  with 
"  him  whom  their  soul  loveth."  They  are  brought  into  a  "  fel- 
lowship with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ,"  in 
which  they  behold  the  divine  glory,  and  feel  the  inspiration  of 
their  confidence.  It  assists  the  preparation  of  the  believer  to  say, 
in  the  fubiess  of  his  joy,  "  Yea  doubtless,  and  I  count  all  things 
but  loss,  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my 
I^rd." 

The  Christian  comes  away  from  the  cares,  labours,  perhaps 
trials  of  the  week  ;  and  enters  the  sanctuary  to  be  fed,  refreshed, 
quickened.     We   may  set  before  him    husks,   the  "  wi^^doiii    of 


24 

words ;"  the  cogitations  of  ingenious  minds  united  with  cold  hearts. 
In  a  text,  used  merely  as  a  topic  for  an  essay,  we  may  bring  for- 
ward a  piece  of  bread,  and  ingeniously  beat  it  out  into  impal- 
pable leaf,  and  set  it  before  the  pious  seeker  of  spiritual  food:  and 
he  will  go  away  hungry ;  for,  after  all,  we  have  given  him  only  a 
crumb,  from  our  Master's  table.  Many  a  minister  has  probably 
preached  at  some  times,  a  sermon,  of  which  he  was  himself  con- 
scious that  something  was  the  matter  ;  he  was  not  satisfied  with  it 
himself,  while  he  was  preparing  it,  or  preaching  it ;  and  felt  that 
he  had  not  profited  himself  or  otliers  by  its  means.  Perhaps 
this  may  be  one  difficulty ;  it  lacked  the  richness  which  the  more 
careful  use  of  his  bible,  in  preparing  it,  would  have  imparted. 

There  is  a  way  of  preaching, — and  a  prosperous  state  of  relig- 
ion, in  our  own  hearts,  my  brethren,  will  help  us  to  know  and 
practise  it, — in  which  we  may  assist  the  children  of  God  to  feel, 
on  the  sabbath,  that  it  is  Christ's  feast-day ;  and  in  the  sanctuary, 
that  they  are  ui  "  his  banquetting  house."  It  is  among  the  richest 
privileges  of  Christians,  that  under  a  ministry,  of  which  it  is  a 
prime  characteristic  that  it  is  a  ministry  of  tlie  word,  they  find 
"  the  sabbath  a  delight,"  and  the  sanctuary,  "  the  gate  of  heaven," 
to  their  souls.  Higher  is  tlie  honour  of  such  testimony,  for  any 
minister,  that  he  thus  "feeds  the  church  of  God,"  than  is  the  hon- 
our of  him  who  sits  upon  an  earthly  throne ;  or  whose  talents,  in 
the  business  of  any  station,  however  high,  are  the  admiration  of 
the  world. 

This  is  the  kind  of  preaching,  which  stands  associated,  in  the 
minds  of  Christians,  with  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  and  the  salvation  of  soids.  For  the  dispensation  of  the 
word  every  where,  they  pray ;  and  some  of  their  most  earnest  de- 
sires are  satisfied,  when  they  see  divine  power  and  grace  answer- 
ing their  prayers.  Thus  it  was  with  Christians  in  the  days  of  die 
apostles.  They  caught,  with  lively  interest,  at  the  intelligence 
"  that  Samaria  had  received  tlie  word  of  God  ;"  "  that  the  Gen- 
tiles had  also'received  the  word  of  God  ;"  that  "  the  word  of  the 
Lord  was  published  throughout  all  the  region"  of  Anlioch.  The 
Gentiles,  we  are  told,  listened  and  were  "  glad,  and  glorified  the 
word  of  tiic  Lord." 


25 

To  glance  only  at  a  lew  more  reasons,  of  this  class.  What  is  the 
source  of  all  light  and  comfort,  respecting  our  future  prospects  ? 
Paul  answers,  "  the  word  of  the  truth  of  the  gospel."  When  was 
it  that  the  early  Christians  "  believed  unto  salvation  ?"  Paul 
answers  again,  "  after  that  ye  heard  the  word  of  truth,  the  gospel 
of  your  salvation."  And  thus  it  is  still.  How  is  purification  and 
holiness  promoted,  in  the  people  of  God  ?  Our  divine  Redeemer 
answers,  in  his  intercessory  prayer  to  the  Father  for  them ;  "  I 
have  given  them  thy  word  ;"  "  Sanctify  them  through  tliy  truth, 
thy  word  is  truth ;"  and  says  he  to  them,  "  now  ye  are  clean 
through  the  word  that  I  have  spoken  unto  you."  Moreover,  that 
is  one  of  the  important  conditions  on  which  he  recognizes  the  rela- 
tion of  Christians  to  himself, — "  if  my  words  abide  in  you." 
What  is  it  which  indicates  to  the  world  the  Christian's  character  ? 
Paul  answers  again,  "  Holding  forth  the  word  of  life."  What 
was  it  which  caused  the  hearts  of  the  two  disciples,  on  the  way  to 
Emmaus,  to  burn  within  them,  in  a  quickening  of  theii-  holy  affec- 
tions towards  Christ  ?  It  was  while  talking  with  them,  he  "  open- 
ed unto  them  the  scriptures."  And  what  is  it  which  ihe  gracious 
taste  of  the  children  of  God  relishes  ?  David  answers,  "  How 
sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my  taste  ;  yea,  sweeter  than  honey  to 
my  mouth."  And  says  Jeremiah,  "  Thy  words  were  found,  and 
T  did  eat  them  ;  and  thy  word  was  unto  me  the  joy  and  the  rejoic- 
ing of  my  heart."  All  of  these  reasons,  bretliren, — and  many 
more  which  might  be  mentioned,  did  not  time  fail, — urge  us,  and 
encourage  us,  to  follow  closely  die  precepts  and  examples  set 
before  us,  on  "  giving  ourselves  to  prayer  and  to  the  ministry  of 
the  wordy 

3.  There  is  a  class  of  reasons  in  which  ministers  diem- 
selves  are  specially  concerned,  as  to  their  usefulness  to  oth- 
ers, and  their  own  spiritual  prosperity  and  happiness  in  their 
work. 

It  was  the  express  object  of  God  our  Saviour,  in  institut- 
ing the  ministry,  that  it  should  be  "  the  ministry  of  the  word." 
Paul  manifestly  felt  this,  when  he  gave  to  Timodiy  the  di- 
rection in  the  text ;  and  when  he  asserted,  "  Christ  sent  me — 
to  preach  the  gospel ;"  "  We  are  ambassadors  for  Christ." 
4 


26 

These  and  many  other  like  instructions,  and  examples  of  holy 
men,  should  always  be  conscientiously  considered  by  us ;  es- 
pecially when  tempted  to  "  turn  aside"  to  things  "  unprofitable 
and   vain." 

God  has  especially  and  repeatedly  enjoined  it.  To  different 
messengers  of  his  will,  in  different  ages,  he  said,  "  Preach  the 
preaching  that  I  bid  thee  ;"  "  These  things  command  and  teach  ;" 
"  Speak  all  that  I  command  thee  ;"  "  Ye  shall  not  add  unto  the 
word  which  I  command  you ;  neither  shall  ye  diminish  aught  from 
it ;"  "  The  prophet  that  hath  a  dream,  let  him  tell  a  dream ;  and 
he  that  hath  my  ivord,  let  him  speak  m^j  word  faithfully."  Thus 
are  we  bound, — and  we  ought  to  rejoice  in  the  bond,  to  consider 
it  no  restriction  of  mind,  no  imprisonment  of  intellect, — ^to  devote 
our  studies  and  preaching  to  setting  forth,  with  the  utmost  simplici- 
ty, the  mind  of  God  ;  dealing  in  the  "  perfect  word."  In  the  fear 
of  God  are  we  called  to  continual  use  of  our  bibles,  in  our  studies, 
and  in  our  instructions  to  dying  men,  both  in  public  and  private. 
We  have  not  to  decide  the  question — What  shall  be  the  gen- 
eral chai-acter  of  our  preaching  ?  God  has  decided  iliat  matter. 
It  is  to  be  general,  in  its  comprehension  of  all  things  which  are 
able  to  "  make  men  wise  unto  salvation  ;"  and  particular,  in  our 
so  preaching  these  things,  as  to  "  commend  ourselves  to  every 
man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God." 

Would  we  be  powerful  preachers  ?  The  omnipotence  of  "the 
mind  of  the  Spirit"  has  been  put  forth  on  the  pages  of  the  bible, 
and  furnishes  us  with  matter  for  powerful  preaching.  All  the  force 
of  human  intellect  that  ever  man  has  shewn,  as  unassisted  by  the 
inspirations  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  when  compared  with  the  majesty 
and  strength  which  the  scriptures  disclose,  is,  indeed,  like  the  im- 
potence of  man's  mortal  arm,  compared  with  the  omnipotence  of 
God,  who  created,  upholds,  and  moves  all  worlds. 

The  enemies  of  Stephen  "  were  not  able  to  resist  the  wisdom 
and  the  spirit  with  which  he  spoke."  Why  ?  Because  he  was 
"  full  of  Aiith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;"  the  »  Spirit  of  truth"  was 
in  him,  and  he  set  forth  truth  from  the  word  of  God,  as  well  as 
under  the  teachings  of  inspiration.  Paul  "  mightily  convinced  the 
•lews."     Under  the  disadvantages  of  what  some  called  "  contemp- 


27 

tible  speech,"  how  did  he  accomplish  this  ?  in  "  shewing  by  ihe 
scriptures  tliat  Jesus  was  Christ."  And  in  such  matter  of  preach- 
ing was  it  that  he  made  a  Roman  governor,  upon  his  seat  of  of- 
fice, to  "  tremble."  The  secret  of  the  eloquence  of  ApoUos  was, 
that  he  was  "  mighty  in  the  scriptures  ;"  he  had  a  holy  art  of  us- 
ing the  bible  in  preaching  ; — ^which  we  sometimes  still  see  men 
possess, — a  gracious  skill  in  unlocking  and  bringing  forth  from 
"  the  word"  its  precious  things.  And  our  "  Lord  and  Master" 
will  see  to  it  that  those  to  whom  we  minister  shall  be  satisfied  with 
such  preaching. 

Would  we  avoid  the  perplexities  and  unhappiness  of  pride,  in 
regard  to  the  matter  of  our  discourses  ?  Our  text  shews  us  how 
this  is  to  be  done.  Ministers  are  under  temptation  at  some  times, 
to  feel  solicitude  respecting  the  opinions  and  judgements  of  men, 
on  their  preaching.  And  truly,  if  the  main  questions  for  a  minis- 
ter were,  '  How  shall  I  impress  men's  minds  with  a  conviction  of 
my  talents  and  mental  superiority  ?  what  shall  I  say  to  them  out  of 
"  the  visions  of  my  own  heart?"  what  subject  or  doctrine,  of  my 
own  invention,  shall  I  set  forth  ?' — then  he  might  live  in  continual 
solicitude  ;  labour,  to  weariness  ;  wear  out  life,  to  no  purpose  ;  die, 
and  go  to  the  grave  and  the  judgement-seat,  as  unprepared  for 
what  is  before  him,  as  his  hearers  are  likely  to  be,  under  his  proud- 
ly originated  instructions.  If  he  do  suffer  his  bible  to  lie  unstudied, 
and  use  it  only  as  a  reading  book,  and  collection  of  mottos  for  ser- 
mons,— or  orations,  more  properly, — he  will  have  trouble  enough, 
from  a  proud  heart,  and  from  those  invariable  attendants  of  pride, 
"  the  fear  of  man,"  anxiety  about  men's  applause,  envy  of  the  pop- 
ularity of  others,  and  a  train  of  other  evils.  His  studies  will  be 
laboriously  carried  forward  ;  and  his  public  labours  performed  un- 
der a  bondage  worse  than  Egyptian. 

But  if,  regarding  yourself,  as  you  really  are,  only  as  a  messen- 
ger of  God ;  coming  to  men  from  sabbath  to  sabbath,  to  make 
known  his  will,  not  your  own  ;  his  truth,  not  your  own  dogmas  ; 
his  commands,  not  your  own  or  other  men's  maxims ; — as  coming 
to  set  before  them  "  the  faithful  word  ;"  then,  as  thus  taking  your 
proper  place,  and  discharging  your  proper  office,  you  cut  yourself 
off  from  temptation  to  the  solicitude  and  self-flattery  of  pride. 


28 

You  will  be  able  to  maintain  a  frame  like  this, — '  I  am  but  a  mes- 
senger of  God.  I  deliver  what  he  has  directed.  When  I  can 
say  on  any  subject,  *'  I  have  not  shunned  to  declare  the  whole 
counsel  of  God,"  I  am  at  rest.  If  men  are  pleased  to  call  what  I 
have  delivered,  "  foolishness  ;"  or  to  tax  me  with  want  of  genius, 
or  of  liberality  of  sentiment,  or  with  having  failed  to  "  please 
men  ;"  I  will  leave  all  that  with  the  Master  "  whom  I  serve." 
"  My  work  is  with  the  Lord,  and  my  reward  with  my  God."  Let 
each  sermon  be  studied  with  this  direction  inscribed  upon  your 
table,  "Preach  THE  Word."  Let  the  arrival  of  each  sabbath 
find  you  with  the  faithfully  prepared  instructions  of  "  the  word," 
and  ready  thus  to  shew  what  the  Lord  has  said.  Thus  prepar- 
ed for  the  day  of  preaching,  enter  the  pulpit  with  this  resolve,  "  I 
will  go  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,"  "  in  the  fulness  of  the  bles- 
sings of  tlie  gospel  of  Christ."  Let  not  the  thought  enter  your 
mind,  '  What  will  men  think  of  me  ?'  "  It  is  not  you  that  speak, 
but  the  Spirit  of  the  Father  that  speaketh  in  you."  You,  as  God's 
messenger  are  above  the  reach  of  men's  captiousness,  fastidious- 
ness, and  contemptuous  underrating  of  your  talents,  and  cavilling 
at  the  doctrines  you  set  forth.  By  the  "  foolishness  of  preach- 
ing," the  "  preaching  of  the  word,"  "  it  pleases  God  to  save  tliem 
that  believe." — "  The  foolishness  of  preaching  !"  said  Paul,  doubt- 
less quoting  the  contemptuous  language  of  men  who  hated  the 
Irudi.  But  how  does  he  shew  the  \vonderfulness  of  the  effect,  as 
disproving  the  unworthy  charge.  No  :  that  is  not  "  foolishness," 
my  brethren,  which  God,  through  our  feeble  instrumentality, 
makes  to  "  convert  the  sinner."  It  is  the  "  power  of  God  ;"  the 
almighty  energy  of  the  Divine  Mind,  acting  on  tlie  minds  of  men 
with  an  efficiency  which  makes  to  appear  as  "nodiing  and  less  than 
nothing,"  the  boasted  greatness  and  strength  of  the  mightiest  mind, 
unhumbled  by  the  grace  of  God.  Y''es,  my  bredu-en, — let  us  fill 
our  sermons  widi  this  which  men  are  pleased  to  treat  as  "  foolish- 
ness ;"  and  God,  in  his  own  time,  will  make  it  appear  that  we 
liave  dealt  in  that  which  is  "  wiser  than  men."* 

Would  we  Jiavc  the  distinctive  features  of  Christianity  to  be 
the  distinctive  features  of  our  ministry,  as  a  totally  difierenl  affair 

"  Apjpendix,  Note  C. 


29 

from  a  plausible,  misleading,  and  rotten  ministry  of  error?  Preach- 
ing the  word,  directly,  distinctly,  "  in  simplicity  and  godly  sinceri- 
ty," is  the  way  lo  make  sure  of  this.  The  errorists  of  our  day, 
in  no  one  thing  more  frequently  shew  themselves  to  be  the  *'  ene- 
mies of  the  cross  of  Christ,"  than  in  the  fact  that  they  have  as  lit- 
tle to  do  with  tlie  bible  as  they  possibly  can  ;  and  that  when  they 
pretend  to  use  it,  they  are  mainly,  and  that  with  great  pains  tak- 
ing, occupied  with  endeavouring  to  explain  it  away  from  interfer- 
ing with  their  doctrines. 

Would  we  preserve,  undivided,  our  forces,  as  defenders  of  the 
faith  of  Jesus  Christ?  Let  us  be  united,  as  "  the  heart  of  one 
man,"  in  preaching  the  word. 

Would  we  shut  the  door  against  the  insidious  incursions  of 
error,  and  its  advocates,  into  our  churches,  and  against  the  bring- 
ing in  of  "  questions  and  strivings,  unprofitable  and  vain  ?" — We 
are  to  "  preach  the  word."  This  will  prepare  our  hearers  to  dis- 
tinguish between  truth  and  error.  Moreover,  nothing  more  per- 
j)lexes  and  confounds  an  enorist,  tlian  the  testimony  of  the  scrip- 
tures. This  has  been  seen,  cleai-ly,  in  the  great  contest  "  for  the 
faith,"  which,  in  late  years,  has  been  going  forward  in  our  New 
England  States.  Some  of  the  most  influential  advocates  of  a  once 
popular,  but  now,  we  trust,  declining  heresy,  have  made  very  pre- 
cious confessions,  indicating  their  conviction  that  they  cannot  get 
along  with  the  bible,  in  any  other  way,  than  to  place  its  authority 
and  inspiration  down  on  the  same  level  with  those  of  the  writings 
of  ancient  headien.  Nor  does  any  thing  so  thoroughly  disconcert 
the  refined  speculations  of  proposition-makers  and  philosophical  the- 
ologians, who  have  any  regard  left  for  the  authority  of  the  scrip- 
tures, as,  in  discussions  with  them,  to  take  the  ground,  "to  the  law 
and  tlie  testimony ;"  and  steadily,  boldly,  and  seriously,  to  follow 
up  the  questions,  "  What  is  written  in  tlie  law  ?  how  readest  thou  ?" 
"  What  saith  the  scripture  ?"  There  is  such  a  sacredness  in  the 
testimony  of  the  Spirit,  in  the  word  ;  such  an  impressiveness  in  the 
authority  of  its  decisions ;  that  it  will  put  pride,  in  a  conscientious 
man,  to  the  blush. 

Would  we  have  quiet  minds  respecting  truths  which  are  at- 
tended with  a  measure  of  mystery,  and  which  shew  us  that  there 


30 

are  "  things  of  God"  which  lie  beyond  the  reach  of  our  knowl- 
edge ?  A  close  adherance  to  the  testimony  of  the  word,  in  our 
studies  and  preaching,  will  secure  to  us  and  our  hearers  this  bene- 
fit. While  we  become  thus  prepared  decidedly  to  "  speak  that 
we  do  know ;"  in  the  frankness  and  honesty  which  become  hum- 
ble learners,  we  can  also  say,  to  those  who  question  us,  respecting 
things  mysterious,  we  do  not  hidio,  and  therefore  cannot  tell. 
And  if  thus  stopping  where  the  bible  stops  cannot  satisfy  the  spirit 
of  unholy  curiosity  in  others ;  we  can  yet,  witli  reason  and  confi- 
dence, return  their  questions,  and  say,  '  Do  you  know  ?  and  can 
you  tell  ?'  Many  an  unprofitable  and  perhaps  impatient  dispute, 
might  thus  also  be  avoided. 

Who  have  been  most  successful  in  defending  the  faitli,  and 
their  "  praise  been  in  the  gospel,  throughout  all  the  churches  ?" 
who,  regarded  with  most  confidence  and  affection,  as  "able  minis- 
ters of ,  the  New  Testament  ?"  who,  as  most  faithful  pastors,  in 
"  feeding  the  flocks  ;"  and  the  most  successful  in  "  winning  souls?" 
They  are  the  ministers  who  have  "  preached  the  word  ;"  and  who, 
in  "  contending  for  the  faith,"  have  drawn  their  arguments  from 
the  word ;  and  depended  upon  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ac- 
companying it,  to  convince  men  of  the  truth. 

Would  we  have  a  harvest  to  reap  ?  As  die  servants  of  Christ, 
we  are  to  "  sow  the  word,"  which  he  has  pronounced  to  be  "good 
seed."  This  will  "  spring  up,  and  bear  fruit ;  some  thirty,  some 
sixty,  and  some  an  hundred-fold."  All  else  is  dead  seed,  which 
will  never  spring  up ;  or  "  tares,"  which  will  bring  forth  fruit  unto 
deadi,  and  make  fuel  for  eternal  fire. 

Would  we  have  our  preaching  such  as  will  bear  to  be  examin- 
ed, and  tested  as  to  its  soundness  and  tendency  to  edification  ? 
The  word  of  God  is  "  very  pure ;"  therefore  the  preaching  of  it 
will  stand  any  test  by  which  it  may  be  tried.  Our  hearers  are 
told  to  "  take  heed  what  they  heai-."  They  are  solemnly  bound 
to  do  it ;  not  only  in  a  humble  reception  of  the  truth,  if  that  be 
preached,  but  likewise  in  a  careful  detection  of  error,  if  that  be 
preached,  in  any  manner  or  form.  If  hearers  do  their  duty, 
preaching  will  be  tested ;  and  there  is  no  preaching  but  that  of 
the  ivord,  which  will  bear  the  examination  of  faithful,  serious,  de- 


31 

vout  hearers,  who  are  seeking  spiritual  profit.  They  have  a  right 
to  expect  that  we  shall  come  to  them  with  the  testimony  of  God. 
We  pay  a  very  poor  compHment  to  their  understandings  and 
hearts,  if  we  think  we  can  indulge  our  pride  of  intellect  and  opin- 
ion, and  put  them  off  long  and  quietly,  with  our  inventions  and  un- 
profitable refinements.  Then*  Judge  and  ours  is  righteous.  He 
has  said,  "  Feed  the  flock  of  God."  To  "  the  shepherds," 
through  whose  neglect  of  this  injunction  the  "  diseased"  are  "  not 
strengthened,"  the  "  sick  are  not  healed,"  the  "  broken"  not 
"  bound  up,"  "  that  which  was  driven  away"  not  "  brought  back," 
and  "  that  which  was  lost,"  not  "  sought ;" — to  such  shepherds  it 
is  a  solemn  reproof,  "  Therefore,  O  ye  shepherds,  hear  the  w^ord 
of  the  Lord ;  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  ;  Behold  I  am  against  the 
shepherds,  and  I  will  require  my  flock  at  their  hand,  and  cause 
them  to  cease  from  feeding  the  flock  ;  neither  shall  the  shepherds 
feed  themselves  any  more ;  for  I  will  deliver  my  flock  from  their 
mouth,  that  they  may  not  be  meat  for  them." 

Would  we  review  our  past  labours,  from  time  to  time,  with  sat- 
isfaction ?  We  must  prepare  the  way  for  it,  by  acting  on  this  in- 
struction. The  apostles,  in  looking  over  their  numerous  fields  of 
labour,  were  able  to  speak  of  them,  with  satisfaction,  as  the  places 
"  where,"  say  they,  "  we  have  preached  the  word  of  the  Lord." 
And  says  Paul,  in  his  farewell  interview  with  the  elders  of  Ephe- 
sus,  "  I  take  you  to  record,  that  I  am  pure  from  the  blood  of  all 
men  ;  for  I  have  not  shunned  to  declare  to  you  the  whole  counsel 
of  God :"  an  appeal  which  every  messenger  of  God  should  be 
prepared  to  make,  with  that  holy  confidence  which  is  inspired  by 
having  been  faithful. 

Would  we  be  on  a  course  which  will  carry  us  entirely  away 
from  tlie  latitudes  of  unimportant,  nice,  perplexing,  useless,  and 
worse  than  useless  discussions  and  controversies,  either  with  one 
another,  or  the  enemies  of  the  truth ;  and  would  we  be  safe  from 
the  entanglements  of  errors,  small  and  great  ?  Our  wisdom  is  to 
study  and  preach  the  word.  The  bible,  prayerfully  studied  and 
faithfully  preached,  never  yet  set  Christian  ministers  to  doting 
about  "  questions  and  strifes  of  words,"  or  contending  for  any 
thing  of  less  importance  than  truths  which  lie  at  the  foundation  of 


32 

the  Christian  S3'stem,  and  of  the  Christian's  hope.*  There  is  a 
dehghtful  liarmony,  on  all  fundamental  truths,  among  those  who 
study  and  teach  the  bible  with  a  right  spirit. 

Life  is  short,  brethren.  Go  foith  and  preach  the  word  as 
your  great  business ;  and  God  will  so  bless  it  that  you  will  be  sav- 
ed the  trouble  of  much  controversy.  Be  cautious  of  shewmg  too 
much  attention  to  the  theories  and  dogmas  of  speculatists.  Cul- 
tivate that  independence,  allied  with  faith  in  the  testimony  of  God's 
word,  and  that  Christian  simplicity  and  holy  energy  of  character, 
which  shall  prepare  you  to  move  forward  in  the  study  and  decla- 
ration of  God's  counsel,  unhindered  by  any  of  the  skeptical  ques- 
tion-making and  hair-splitting,  with  which  philosophy,  "  falsely  so 
called,"  may  seek  to  hinder  the  great  work. 

Contend  earnestly  for  "  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints  ;" 
but  let  this  be  done  rather  in  the  continual  discharge  of  the  artille- 
ry of  "the  word."  This  is  the  regular  warfare,  ordained  by 
Christ,  to  continue  to  "  the  end  of  the  world  ;"  and  the  "  wea- 
pons" of  it  are  destined  to  prove  "  mighty  through  God  to  the 
pulling  down  of  the  strong  holds." 

We  can  only  glance  at  other  considerations,  belonging  to  this 
part  of  our  subject. — The  minister  who  preaches  the  word,  is  em- 
ployed on  "  God's  thoughts."  What  exalted  subjects  for  contem- 
plation !  How  rich  in  instruction  !  "  As  the  heavens  are  high 
above  the  earth,  so  are  God's  thoughts  above  our  thoughts."  In 
the  contemplation  of  these,  he  rises  toward  the  everlasting  throne. 
He  is  spending  his  time  and  talents  to  the  best  purpose,  because 
on  subjects  best  adapted  to  the  great  ends  of  the  ministry.  He  is 
acting  in  his  proper  capacity,  as  a  messenger  of  God.  He  is  in 
no  man's  catalogue  of  adherents,  who  prides  himself  as  being  the 
architect  of  a  theory  or  a  systpfn  ;  for  he  is  an  adherent  to  no  sys- 
tem but  that  entitled,  "  Christ  Jesus  and  him  crucified."  He  gets 
bewildered  in  no  mists  of  false  philosophy  ;  and  therefore  enjoys 
a  prosperous  establishment  in  the  truth.  He  is  never  in  want  of 
subjects  on  which  to  preach  ;  for  he  has  a  bible  full  of  subjects  ; 
and  ample  instruction  there,  too,  upon  them  all.  In  his  preaching, 
he  is  continually  making  deposits  of  solid,  efficacious  truth,  in  the 

*  Sec  Note  D.  Appendix. 


33 

mindt>  and  iiearls  ol'  his  hearers  ;  and  is  lieipiiig  on  that  progress 
of  knowledge  aiid  conviction  of  the  truth,  by  the  preaching  of  ev- 
ery sermon,  which  he  may  hope  that  the  Holy  Spirit  will  make 
effectual  to  salvation.  He  is  answering  the  dictates  of  his  own 
conscience,  and  of  grace  dwelling  in  his  heart ;  is  acting  from  love 
to  Christ,  and  to  his  fellow  men ;  is  in  the  way  to  "  both  save 
himself,  and  them  who  hear  him  ;"  and  is  preparing  to  render  his 
account,  as  a  "  steward  of  die  mysteries  of  God." 

Looking  forward,  by  the  light  of  truth,  to  the  scenes  of  the 
judgement  aiid  of  eternity,  two  other  considerations  present  them- 
selves, in  wdiich  are  concerned  both  the  "  ambassadors  for  Christ" 
and  those  to  whom  they  are  sent. 

We  are  forewarned  that  tlie  instructions  dispensed  in  this 
state  of  probation  are  to  come  into  reference  and  use,  in  settling 
the  decisions  of  tlie  final  judgement.  "  The  word  that  I  have 
spoken," — said  Christ,  respecting  him  who  receives  it  not, — "  the 
same  shall  judge  him,  at  the  last  day."  John,  in  describing  his 
vision  of  the  judgement,  writes,- — "  and  the  books  were  opened." 
It  is  a  thought,  my  brethren,  which  should  ever  be  present  to  our 
minds,  that  the  bible  will  come  into  solemn  use  on  that  great  day, 
as  the  book  out  of  which  ministers  have  been  directed  to  preach, 
and  their  dying  fellow  men  to  hear,  the  instructions  of  "  Him  with 
whom  we  have  to  do." 

And,  on  the  preaching  of  the  word,  God  has  suspended,  in  a 
solemn  manner,  the  eternity  of  our  hearers,  as  well  as  of  our  own 
souls.  "  For  we  are  unto  God  a  sweet  savour  of  Christ,  both  in 
them  that  are  saved,  and  in  them  that  perish.  To  the  one  we  are 
the  savour  of  death  unto  death ;  and  to  ihe  other  the  savour  of 
life  unto  life."  It  is  an  intimate,  a  solemn  connexion,  \^hich  the 
studies  and  preaching  of  every  minister  have,  widi  the  eternal  joy 
or  wretchedness  of  both  himself  and  his  people.  When  therefore 
he  sits  down  in  liis  study,  to  prepare  for  the  pulpit,  well  does  it 
become  him  to  think  "  how  dreadful  is  this  place  !"  When,  on 
the  sabbath,  he  enters  his  pulpit,  to  deliver  the  messages  of  God's 
word,  with  what  emotion  may  he  again  take  up  the  thought,  and 


34 

say,  "  How  dreadful  is  this  place  !"  And  when,  under  the  sol- 
emn responsibilities  which  will  have  accumulated,  from  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  word,  they  shall  "stand  before  the  judgement  seat  of 
Christ,"  with  a  joyful  or  terrible  eternity  before  them  ;  oh  !  then 
will  both  minister  and  people  once  more  feel  "  How  dreadful  is 
THIS  place  /" 


APPENDIX. 


NOTE  A. 

Some  specimens  of  curious  questions,  which  were  gravely  debated  in  for- 
mer times,  are  given  by  a  late  lecturer  on  intellectual  philosophy,  and  well  il- 
liistnite  the  point  under  consideration.  After  giving  several  questions  in  the 
department  of  intellectu<al  philosophy  ;  he  states  a  few  which  wore  debated  in 
the  departments  of  morals  and  natural  theology. — "  In  morals,  Whether  ethics 
were  an  art  or  a  science  .-' — Whether,  if  the  mind  had  freedom  of  choice,  tliis 
independent  will,  be  an  entity  or  a  quiddity  .■" — Whether  we  should  say,  -with  a 
dozen  schoolmen,  tliat  virtue  is  good,  because  it  has  intrinsic  goodness  ;  or, 
with  a  dozen  more,  that  it  has  this  intrinsic  goodness  because  it  is  good. — In 
natural  theology,  Whether  angels  pass  from  one  point  of  space  to  another, 
without  passing  through  the  intermediate  points  ?  whether  they  can  visually 
discern  objects  in  the  dark  .''  whether  more  than  one  can  exist  at  the  same  mo- 
ment in  the  same  physical  point  ?  whether  they  can  e.xist  in  a  perfect  vacuum, 
with  any  relation  to  the  absolute  incorporeal  void  ?  and  whether,  if  an  angel 
were  in  vacuo,  the  void  could  still  truly  be  termed  perfect?  With  respect  to 
the  Deity, — whether  he  exist  in  imaginary  space  as  much  as  in  the  space  that 
is  real .'  whether  he  can  cause  a  mode  to  exist  without  a  substance  .-"  whether, 
in  knowing  all  things,  he  know  universals,  or  only  things  singular.'  and 
whether  he  can  love  a  possible  unexisting  angel  better  than  an  actually  exist- 
ing insect."  Sec  Brown's  Lectures  on  tiie  Philosophy  of  the  Human  Mind, 
Lect.  I. 

To  tliese  topics  of  discussion  it  would  be  easy  to  add  others,  of  later  times  ; 
some  of  whicli  are  emphatically  "  foolish  and  unprofitable  ;"  and  others  of 
them,  from  the  irreverent  approaches  which  they  make  to  the  divine  attributes, 
may  with  strict  propriety  be  termed  profane. 

As  touching  this  general  subject  of  curious  questions,  Cecil  has  also  some 
very  just  remarks,  in  the  introduction  to  his  sermon  on  Luke  ii.  13,  14,  enti- 
tled "  The  Song  of  Angels." 

"  It  is  a  lamentable  consideration,  how  little  man  is  disposed  to  consider 
those  special  and  important  truths,  which  God  has  revealed  to  him  for  his 
benefit. 


36 

"  In  respect  to  the  passage  before  us,  tor  instance,  a  Philosoplier  reads  it : — 
'  Now,'  says  he,  '  let  us  inquire  whether  this  was  an  impreBsion  made  on  the 
minds  of  these  shepherds,  or  whether  it  was  an  actual  vision  presented  to 
them  :'  and  thus  he  spends  his  tirae  in  empty  speculations.  A  Painter  reads 
the  passage  : — '  I  could  very  much  wish,'  says  he,  '  that  I  had  been  there,  to 
have  caught  an  idea  from  that  scene.'  A  Musician  reads  it : — '  I  should  ex- 
ceedingly like,'  says  he,  '  to  have  heard  this  liarmony,  and  to  have  examined 
how  far  it  agreed  with  our  present  rules  :'  but  since  this  is  impossible,  he  sits 
down,  turns  it  into  music,  and  puts  it  into  a  song  ;  not  considering  what  impor- 
tant lessons  it  contains.  A  critical  Divine  reads  it : — '  This,'  says  he, '  is  a  sin- 
gular event ;  and  it  will  lead  me  to  consider  the  ministry  of  angels,  and  wheth- 
er it  has  totally  ceased  in  our  day  or  not.' 

"  Thus  men  trifle  with  the  Word  of  God  !  A  real  Christian  alone  makes 
a  proper  use  of  such  a  passage.  He  asks  his  conscience,  '  What  am  I  to  learn 
from  this  ?  What  instruction  and  encouragement  does  it  afford  ?'  " — Cecil's 
yVorks,  Vol.  II.  Sec.  XVII. 


NOTE  B. 

Great  importance  is  sometimes  attached  to  merely  speculative  points  in 
tlieology,  on  which  it  is  difficult  to  find  any  express  instructions  in  the  bible. 
This  latter  fact,  too, — lack  of  light  from  the  scriptures  respecting  them, — we 
occasionally  hear  confessed,  by  those  who  agitate  such  points.  Now  the  si- 
lence of  the  bible,  on  many  such  subjects,  is  doubtless  to  be  regarded  as  an  in- 
timation that  wo  are  not  to  attempt  to  pry  into  them  ;  they  being,  for  wise  rea- 
sons in  the  Divine  Mind,  shut  up  from  our  knowledge.  On  many  other  sub- 
jects, we  may  doubtless  regard  the  silence  of  the  bible  as  the  divine  attestation 
of  their  insignificance,  and  destitution  of  practical  importance  to  us.  We  may 
rest  assured,  that  the  scriptures  set  forth,  in  no  doubtful  language,  every  doc- 
trine and  point  of  doctrine,  and  every  duty,  with  which  we  have  any  particu- 
lar concern  ;  and  shew,  by  the  manner  in  which  it  is  presented,  the  measure  of 
importance  to  be  attached  to  it,  in  our  studies  and  public  instructions.  We 
commit  sin,  by  giving  to  points  of  discussion  which  we,  in  the  spirit  of  curious 
research,  may  originate,  greater  prominence  than  to  the  plain  and  essential 
truths  and  precepts  on  which  God  has  been  pleased  to  make  explicit  and  re- 
peated declarations.  Moreover,  a  minister  ought  not  to  be  willing  to  waste  his 
time  in  inventing  propositions,  on  any  subject  upon  which  the  scriptures  give 
no  information. 

Piiilosophy,  it  is  sometimes  maintained,  in  relation  to  such  subjects,  gives 
light  upon  them.  Very  well :  add  thera, — as  new  discoveries, — to  the  depart- 
ment of  philosophy ;  and  call  them  philosophical  subjects.  But  do  not  under- 
take to  introduce  them  into  the  system  of  Christian  theology ;  nor  bring  thera 
into  a  place  so  sacred  as  the  pulpit,  for  discussion. 


37 


NOTE  C. 


Said  a  pious  woman,  wlio  deliglited  much  in  the  scriptures,  and  who  was 
more  than  commonlj-  happy  in  her  religious  experience — "  VVlien  I  attend  up- 
on the  instructions  of  the  sanctuary,  I  feel  myself  to  have  little  concern  with 
the  person  who  occupies  the  pulpit.  Tlie  7)iesmge  of  God  to  me,  is  that  with 
which  I  have  to  do."  This  is  as  it  should  be.  The  messenger  should  be  for- 
gotten in  tho  message.  Our  hearers  ought  to  be  so  occupied  with  what  we 
preach,  as  the  icord  of  God,  that  tliey  shall  forget  us.  We  should  be  humble 
enough  to  be  entirely  willing  that  they  should  so  lose  sight  of  us ;  should 
pray  that  they  may  do  this.  But  to  this  end,  what  pure  truth,  how  full  of  the 
teachings  of  God,  must  our  instructions  be.  Let  not  leanness  in  our  discours- 
es, as  to  the  presence  of  rich  truth,  and  tlieir  fulness  with  human  inventions, 
compel  hearers  to  see  us,  and  that  too  as  "  preaching  ourselves,"  and  not 
"  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord."  Paul,  in  expressing  to  some  of  those  who  had  been 
blessed  under  his  ministrations,  his  joy  in  them,  says,  "  For  this  cause,  also, 
thank  we  God  without  ceasing,  because,  when  ye  received  the  word  of  God 
which  ye  heard  of  us,  ye  received  it,  not  as  the  word  of  men,  but  (as  it  is  in 
truth)  tiie  word  of  God,  which  etilctually  worketh  also  in  you  that  believe." 


NOTE  D. 

It  is  by  no  means  designed  to  enter  an  indiscriminate  protest  against  con- 
troversy. There  ever  have  been,  and  ever  will  be,  occasions  when  the  friends 
of  truth  must  "  contend  earnestly  for  the  faitii,"  assailed  as  it  is  in  thousands 
of  ways.  If  errors  arc  advanced,  good  men  mu.«!t  examine  and  expose  them  ; 
and  set  forth  the  truths  which  they  are  designed  to  subvert.  It  is  a  painful 
duty,  but  an  indispensable  one  ;  and  the  errorist  is  answerable  for  the  sin  of 
occasioning  or  creating  a  controversy. 

The  remarks  in  the  discourse  have  reference  to  those  disputes  which  are 
originated,  by  pride  of  opinion,  at  first  upon  comparatively  unimportant  mat- 
ters ;  and  which,  through  the  pertinacity  of  the  originator,  finally  lead  to  long 
and  troublesome  controversy,  and  the  introduction  of  heresy  into  the  churches. 
It  seems  a  device  of  the  great  Adversary,  when  an  important  contest  for  the 
faith  is  going  forward  successfully,  to  set  some  good  man  (if  he  can  get  a  good 
man  to  do  such  a  thing,  so  much  tlie  better  for  his  purpose,  and  so  much  the 
worse  for  the  cause  of  truth,)  to  bring  forward  a  point  of  difference,  small  or 
great, — it  makes  not  much  difference  which, — upon  which  the  defenders  of  the 
faith  may  get  into  controvcrsj'.  Thus  is  created  a  division  of  that  strength 
which  should  have  been  put  forth,  undividedly,  in  contest  with  the  enemies  of 
the  gospel.  Heresy,  in  some  new  form,  perhaps,  springs  up.  Occasion  is 
given  to  "our  enemies"  to  "laugh  among  themselves;"  and  Satan  laughs 
witli  them  at  the  success  of  his  artifices.    And  Zion  is  made  to  mourn  and  weep. 


38 


GENERAL  NOTE. 

The  general  principles  advanced  in  the  preceding  discourse,  though  having 
reference  to  tlie  ministrations  of  the  pulpit,  obviously  apply  to  the  private  re- 
ligious instructions,  which  ministers  are  called  to  give.  Some  of  the  best  op- 
portunities to  lead  men  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  occur  to  the  minister  in 
the  intercourse  of  private  life ;  and  some  of  his  most  effective  preaching  may 
be  done  out  of  the  pulpit.  The  right  use  of  such  opportunities,  and  the  real 
benefit  of  his  personal  conversation  upon  religious  subjects,  will  very  much  de- 
pend upon  basing  his  counsels  on  the  same  foundation  with  his  public  preach- 
ing. There  is  an  indefinite,  prosing,  sentimental  way  of  talking  upon  religious 
subjects,  wiiich  will  leave  faint  impressions,  or  none  at  all,  on  men's  minds. 
For  the  same  reason  that  a  minister  should  avoid  preaching  indefinite,  prosing, 
and  sentimental  sermons,  sliould  he  also  avoid  such  kind  of  conversation. 
Point, — the  point  of  plain,  simple,  scriptural  truth, — should  mark  religious 
conversation,  as  well  as  preaching. 

The  unconverted  man,  uninterested  iu  the  "  things  which  belong  to  his 
peace,"  needs  something  to  arouse  and  fix  his  attention.  A  single  text  of 
scripture,  though  simply  uttered, may  accomplish  the  object.  The  reader  may 
have  been  informed  of  the  efi^oct  produced  upon  the  mind  of  a  young  student, 
not  of  a  religious  character,  by  a  minister's  proposing  to  him,  as  a  mathemati- 
cal question  to  be  solved,  the  text:  "  For  what  is  a  man  profited,  if  he  shall 
gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  .''  or  wliat  shall  a  man  give  in  ex- 
ciiange  for  his  soul.''"  The  caviller  and  errorist  need  to  be  convinced.  It  is 
the  pride  of  such  men,  to  draw  a  minister  on  to  their  ground,  in  a  dispute  or 
argument.  Instead  of  contending  with  them,  in  the  use  of  weapons  like  their 
own,  a  single  arrow  from  Cod's  armory,  well  aimed, — a  single  text  of  scrip- 
ture, having  a  direct  and  heavy  bearing  upon  conscience, — will  sometimes  si- 
lence all  flippant  and  reasoning  unbelief.  "  For  I  will  give  you,"  said  Christ, 
"  a  mouth  and  wisdom,  which  all  your  adversaries  shall  not  be  able  to  gainsay 
nor  resist."  The  serious  and  troubled  inquirer  comes  for  friendly  counsel. 
What  he  wants  is, — not  an}'  man's  opinions,  in  the  way  of  theory,  upon  regen- 
eration, or  the  manner  of  a  sinner's  turning  to  God;  but  the  plain,  practical 
instructions  of  the  word  of  God, — the  light  of  the  bible  upon  his  path  of 
duty  ;  to  be  told,  '■'  repent,"  "  believe,"  "  make  you  a  new  heart,"  "  submit," 
"  call  )'e  upon  the  Lord."  The  young  Christian  comes  for  counsel,  in  his  en- 
trance upon  hl.s  new  duties.  The  experience  of  Christians  who  have  gone  be- 
fore him,  is  instructive.  But  the  affectionate,  solemn,  heart-stirring  counsels 
of  the  scriptures,  are  what  he  needs,  first  of  all.  "Thy  word,"  says  David, 
"  hath  quickened  me."  The  trembling  and  perplexed  Christian  wants  assist- 
ance ;  he  is  in  the  dark,  is  sorrowful,  knows  not  what  to  think  of  himself. 
The  bible  furnishes  precisely  the  counsels  which  his  case  requires.  Speculat- 
ing with  him,  on  the  endless  ways  of  self-deception,  will  only  increase  his  dif- 
ficulties. And,  on  the  other  hand,  reasoning  with  him,  against  his  doubts  and 
fears,  will  do  him  little,  good.     Open  the  biblo  almost  any  where;  in  the  writ- 


39 

ings  of  David  and  Paul  especially  ;  and  your  eye  will  light  upon  something 
which  God  the  Spirit  has  said,  applicable  to  just  such  cases. 

In  like  manner,  for  the  backslider ;  for  the  tempted  soul ;  for  the  Christian, 
bowing  under  tiie  weight  of  temporal  affliction  ;  for  the  Christian,  anticipating 
"  the  bitterness  of  death,"  and  about  to  descend  into  the  grave; — for  all  these, 
are  there  ample,  satisfactory,  and  safe  counsels,  in  "  tlie  word."  A  minister 
having  his  memory  stored  with  the  bible  ;  and  his  heart  made  tender,  and  his 
mind  wise,  by  the  teachings  of  the  Spirit  accompanying  the  word  ;  can  have 
his  tongue  to  be  "  as  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer  ;  and  be  both  a  faithful  watch- 
man, and  a  '•  son  of  consolation"  to  the  true  children  of  God. 


A  recent  Christian  poet,  the  heavenly-minded  Pomok, — whose  early  de- 
parture from  this  life  is  mourned  by  all  who  admire  and  love  talents  consecrat- 
ed to  "  Christ  and  the  Church," — has  expressed  so  justly  and  impressively  his 
sentiments  on  the  restlessness  and  curiosity  of  the  human  mind,  that  the  au- 
thor of  this  discourse  is  persuaded  he  need  offer  no  apology  for  quoting  them. 

"  In  mind,  in  matter,  much  was  difficult 
To  understand  :  but  what  in  deepest  nigla 
Retired,  inscrutable,  mysterious,  dark, 
Was,  evil ;  God's  decrees  ;  and  deeds  decreftd. 
Responsible.     Why  God,  the  just,  and  good, 
Omnipotent  and  wi.se,  should  suffer  sin 
To  rise.     Why  man  was  free,  accountable; 
Yet  God  foreseeing,  overruling  all. 
Where'er  the  eye  could  turn,  whatever  tract 
Of  moral  thought  it  took,  by  reason's  torch, 
Or  Scripture  led,  before  it  still  this  mount 
Sprung  up,  impervious,  insurmountable  ; 
Above  the  human  stature  rising  far  ; 
Horizon  of  the  mind — surrounding  still 
The  vision  of  the  soul  with  clouds  and  gloom. 
Yet  did  they  not  attempt  to  scale  its  sides, 
And  gain  its  top  ?    Philosophy,  to  climb 
With  all  her  vigor,  toiled  from  age  to  age  ; 
From  age  to  age.  Theology,  with  all 
Her  vigor,  toiled  ;  and  vagrant  fancy  toiled. 
Not  weak  and  foolish  only,  but  the  wise, 
Patient,  courageous,  stout,  sound-headed  men, 
Of  proper  discipline,  of  excellent  wind, 
And  strong  of  intellectual  limb,  toiled  hard; 
And  oft  above  the  reach  of  common  eye 
Ascended  far,  and  seemed  well  nigh  tlic  top  ; 
But  only  seemed  ;  for  still  another  top 
Above  them  rose,  till  giddy  grown  and  mad. 
With  gazing  at  these  dangerous  heights  of  God, 
Tliey  tumbled  down,  and  in  their  raving  said, 
Thoy  o'er  the  summit  saw  :  and  some  believed  , 
Believed  a  lie  ;  for  never  man  on  earth, 
That  mountain  crossed,  or  saw  its  farther  side. 


40 


Around  it  lay  tlie  wreck  of  many  a  Sage — 

Divine — Philosopher  ;  and  many  more 

Fell  daily,  undeterred  by  millions  fallen  ; 

Each  wondering  wh}"-  he  failed  to  comprehend 

God,  and  with  finite  measure  infinite. 

To  pass  it,  was  no  doubt  desirable  ; 

And  few  of  any  intellectual  size, 

That  did  not  sometime  in  their  day  attempt  ; 

But  all  in  vain  ;  for  as  the  distant  hill, 

Which  on  the  right,  or  left  tlie  traveller's  eye 

Bounds,  seems  advancing  as  he  walks,  and  oft 

He  looks,  and  looks,  and  thinks  to  pass  ;    but  still 

It  forward  moves,  and  mocks  his  bafiled  sigiit, 

Till  night  descends  and  wraps  the  scene  in  gloom  ; 

So  did  this  moral  height  the  vision  mock  ; 

So  lifted  up  its  dark  and  cloudy  head,  _^ 

Before  the  eye,  and  met  it  evermore. 

And  some  provoked — accused  the  righteous  God. 

Accused  of  what  ?    Hear  human  boldness  now  ! 

Hear  guilt,  hear  folly,  madness,  all  extreme  ! 

Accused  of  wliat.^   the  God  of  truth  accused.' 

Of  cruelty,  injustice,  wickedness  ! 

Abundant  sin  !    Because  a  mortal  man, 

A  worm  at  best  of  small  capacity, 

With  scarce  an  atom  of  Jehovah's  works 

Before  him,  and  with  scarce  an  hour  to  look 

Upon  them,  should  presume  to  censure  God — 

The  infinite  and  uncreated  God  ! 

To  sit  in  judgment — on  Himself,  liis  works, 

His  providence  !  and  try,  accuse,  condemn  ! 

If  there  is  aught,  thought  or  to  think,  absurd, 

Irrational  and  wicked,  this  is  more — 

This  most ;  tlie  sin  of  devils,  or  of  those 

To  devils  growing  fast :   wise  men  and  good, 

Accused  themselves,  not  God  ;  and  put  their  hands 

Upon  their  mouths,  and  in  the  dust  adored. 

"  The  Christian's  faith  had  many  mysteries  too. 
The  uncreated  holy  Three  in  One  ; 
Divine  incarnate  ;  human  in  divine  ; 
The  inward  call ;  the  sanctifying  Dew 
Coming  unseen,  unseen  departing  thence  ; 
Anew  creating  all,  and  yet  not  heard  ; 
Compelling,  yet  not  felt : — mysterious  these  ; 
Not  that  Jehovah  to  conceal  them  wished ; 
Not  that  religion  wished  :  the  Christian  faith, 
Unlike  tiie  timorous  creeds  of  pagan  priests. 
Was  frank,  stood  forth  to  view,  invited  all, 
To  prove,  examine,  search,  investigate, 
And  gave,  herself,  a  light  to  see  lier  by. 
Mysterious  these — because  too  large  for  eye 
Oi"  man,  too  long  for  human  arm  to  mete" 


EXHIBITED  FKOM  THE  WKITINGS  OP 

BISHOP  DOANE  and  BISHOP  M'lLVAINE, 

TOGETHBR    WITH    SOME    REMARKS    ON    APOSTOLIC    BtCCESSION— TB« 

ABTJ8B  OF  LUTHER  AND  CALVIN — AND  THE  LITURGY  AS  A 

rRESERVATIVE  OF  DOCTRINAL  PURITY. 


>T 


^  Hreststertan. 


MODE  OF  OXFORD  OPERATION, 

DESCRIBED  BY  BISHOP  u'lLVAINE. 

•♦  Should  we  conceive  of  the  grand  enemy,  actually  employing  a 
band  of  men,  concealed  under  profession  of  Protestants,  (and  we 
may  do  so  for  the  sake  of  illustration,  without  offence)  to  lay  open 
a  secret  road  for  Popery,  into  the  very  citadel  of  the  Protestantism 
of  England,  we  could  readily  understand  that  they  would  select  the 
most  gradual  means,  as  the  most  effectual ;  the  most  noiseless  and 
unseen,  as  the  most  ensnaring ;  that  they  would  seem  to  be  great 
opposers  of  Romanism,  in  some  points,  while  insinuating  it  in  others ; 
would  break  ground  at  a  distance,  where  they  would  be  least  feared 
and  remarked  ;  get  their  position  fixed  lu  peace,  '  while  men  slept;' 
then  cautiously  commence  approaches,  gradually  familiarizing  the 
watchers  upon  the  walls  with  the  sound  of  their  working,  and  never 
putting  forth  a  new  approach,  till  the  novelty  of  the  former  was  for- 
gotten. We  can  readily  conceive  that  the  weapon  of  such  a  siege 
would  not  be  as  the  Roman  Catapult,  hurling,  in  open  day,  its  bolts 
and  fiery  darts.  Some  Christian  Archimedes,  with  the  bright  mir- 
ror of  the  word,  would  soon  burn  up  the  engine  and  put  the  workers 
to  confusion.  But  the  weapon  would  be  the  fxck  of  ihc  sapper,  dig- 
ging at  the  base;  and  the  foundation  selected  would  be  that  of  the 
bastion,  which,  while  in  reality  the  key  of  the  fortress,  is  Zcas/ Ar/iotrn 
in  that  importance  to  the  multitude,  and  therefore  the  least  watch- 
ed ;  and  their  object  would  be,  like  that  of  the  gun-powder  plot, 
under  the  Senate-House  and  Throne,  to  subjugate  the  whole,  in  the 
ruin  of  the  head ;  and  could  they  only  persuade  some  honored  and 
trusted  men  of  the  city,  under  the  sincere  supposition,  on  their  part, 
that  they  were  only  searching  after  hid  treasures  of  Antiquity,  or 
endeavoring  to  effect  some  useful  restoration  in  the  old  walls  of  a 
venerable  monument  of  ancient  prowess,  to  do  the  digging  for  them, 
till  they  themselves  could  work  unseen  in  the  mine,  it  would  indeed 
he  great  gain.  By  and  by,  it  would  be  seen  that  a  portion  of  the 
wall  was  fallen — then  another,  but  each  with  such  interval,  that  all 
lookers-on  had  grown  familiar  with  the  sight  of  the  first  dilapidation, 
before  the  second  was  permitted.  By  and  by,  that  bastion  is  in  ruins, 
and  the  city  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy,  but  all  has  gone  on  vso  grn- 
ilually  and  imperceptibly  that  it  e.\cites  but  little  apprehension."  p.  30. 


TENDENCY  OF  OXFORD  DIVINITY. 

••  With  the  return  of  Justification  by  Inherent  righteousness,  has 
come  back  the  Romish  Doctrine  of  the  Nature  and  Office  of  Faith ; 
of  the  opu3  operatum  of  the  Sacraments  ;  of  Baptismal  Justification  ; 
of  Original  sin  ;  of  Mortal  and  Venial  Sins;  of  Sin  after  Baptism; 
with  most  evident  and  lamentable  leanings,  to  say  the  least,  towards 
the  whole  array  of  Romish  Purgatory,  Invocation  of  Saints,  Pray- 
ers for  the  Dead,  Multiplication  of  Sacramentals  and  of  all  external 
pomp  and  parade  in  Church  services  ;  Transubstantiation,  Miracle* 
working,"  &c. — "  Why  not  expect  the  same  results  from  the  same 
circumstances,  now  as  Well  as  in  the  early  ages  of  the  Church  ?  The 
way  is  as  well  prepared,  the  dead  are  alike  prayed  for,  passages  of 
Scripture  are  just -as  favorably  interpreted.  Where  is  the  barrier  1 
In  Tradition,  answers  Dr.  Pusey.  All  are  to  be  held  fast,  where 
the  ancient  Church  drifted  upon  a  lee-shore,  by  the  single  anchor  of 
Tradition,  let  down  into  the  shifting  sands  of  men's  whims,  and, ca- 
prices, and  prejudices,  and  corruptions,  assaulted  on  all  sides  by 
♦the  Prince  of  the  Power  of  the 'Air.'  But  had  not  the  ancient 
Church  that  anchor  better  than  we  have  it?  Was  not  Tradition,  in 
their  day,  more  accessible,  because  they  were  so  much  nearer  its 
head-springs;  more  simple  and  uncomplicated,  and  easily  settled 
and  readily  used?  How  then  if  they  were  not  held  fast  from  driving 
upon  the  dark  mountains  of  Purgatory,  are  we  ever  to  be  held  to 
our  moorings?  Oh,  no!  Prayers  for  the  dead,  and  the  denial  of  a 
plenary  absolution  for  sin  after  baptism,  and  the  granting  of  a  puri- 
fication in  another  world,  all  of  which  are  attained  already  in  the 
race  of  this  divinity,  pressing  on  to  the  prize  of  its  high  calling, 
must  soon  cross  the  invisible  line  that  separates  from  Popish  Purga- 
tory, and  carrying  Tradition  along,  bid  it  raise  its  voice,  as  it  will 
easily  find  the  excuse  for  doing,  as  the  bold  preacher  of  the  doctrine, 
of  which  il  was  before  the  appointed  antagonist." 

Bishop  M^Ihaine,  p.  534. 


«•  To  make  the  cross  of  Christ  of  none  effect ;  first,  by  making  it 
foolishness  to  the  Greek,  and  a  stumbling  block  to  the  Jew  ,*  and 
then,  when  men  would  embrace  it,  by  turning  it  into  an  idol,  like 
the  brazen  serpent  of  a  former  age ;  so  that  men,  retaining  the  name 
of  Christ  upon  their  lips,  and  making  the  sign  of  the  cross  upon  their 
foreheads,  might  be  substituting  a  foundation  of  wood  and  stubble, . 
for  «♦  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified;"  their  own  cross,  for  his;  an 
inward  sacrifice,  for  the  one  oblation  once  offered  by  the  Son  of  God ; 
this  has  been  the  grand  effort  of  Satan,  to  which  the  errors  and  here- 
sies of  every  century  of  Christianity  bear  most  impressive  testimony. 

Bishop  AVlhaine,  p.  108. 


"  And  lo!  another  angel  stood  in  heaven 
Crying  aloud  with  mighty  voice:  Fallen,  fallen, 
Is  Babylon  the  Great — to  rise  no  more ! 
Rejoice,  ye  prophets  !  over  her  rejoice, 
Apostles!  holy  men,  all  saints,  rejoice! 
And  glory  give  to  God,  and  to  the  Lamb. 
And  all  the  armies  oTdisburthened  earth. 
As  voice  of  many  waters,  and  as  voice 
Of  thunderings,  and  voice  of  multitudes, 
Answered,  Amen.     And  every  hill  and  rock. 
And  sea,  and  every  beast,  answered,  Amen. 
Europa  answered,  and  the  farthest  bounds 
Of  woody  Chili,  Asia's  fertile  coasts, 
And  Afric's  burning  wastes,  answered,  Amen. 
And  Heaven,  rejoicing,  answered  back,  Amen." 

Pollock's  Course  of  Time. 


"  To  those  who  shrink  from  controversial  topics,  and  would  shun 
all  controversy,  let  it  be  said,  in  parting,  it  is  not  given  to  man. 
We  hold  the  truth  only  by  dint  of  never-flinching  firmness.  The 
price  of  religious,  not  less  than  civil,  freedom  is  perpetual  vigilance." 
— Bishop  Doane,  Bf.  Ex.  p.  160. 


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